15+ Benefits of an Internship in Jumpstarting your Career
Amina Ibrahim
Some may still hang on to the thought that internships are just fleeting summer jobs. But in reality, the benefits of an internship go beyond that. Today, they are important for building the groundwork for a successful career. They give you a major head start in excelling at your future job.
Despite these apparent benefits, if you are still unsure whether internships can make a real difference in the grand scheme of things, then this article is what you need to get the assurance that they do. We covered the 16 ways in which internships can help you emerge more confident, more polished – a version 2.0 of yourself.
What is an internship?
An internship is a temporary work opportunity that an employer provides to individuals, often college students or recent graduates, to gain practical experience in a particular field or industry. Internships normally last from a few weeks to several months.
Internships are a practice round before starting a full-time job. What you learned in school can be finally put to use. You get to work with experienced people and gain first-hand experience of what a job world really looks and works like.
Here are 4 common types of internships:
- Paid Internships: These internship programs pay you for your work on an hourly wage or stipend. They are tough to get but offer money and are associated with bigger companies.
- Unpaid Internships: These internships don't pay but you get experience, skills, and make connections. They are more common in certain industries, like nonprofits or smaller companies.
- Credit-Based Internships: Some educational institutions give academic credits for internships that meet their requirements. You might need approval from the school's faculty or department for these.
- Remote Internships: These internships let you work from wherever you want. They give you flexibility and the chance to learn without being tied to a specific location. They are great for balancing other commitments while gaining valuable experience.
16 often overlooked benefits of an internship
Internships are a great way to polish your professional skills and build self-confidence. Below, we tapped into different ways internships benefit your personal and professional growth.
1. Develop transferable skills
We know you have familiarised yourself with communication skills, problem-solving, and a lot of other transferable skills in college. But we also know that these skills are a different ball game altogether in the professional world.
Internships teach you to adapt to new environments and face challenges. It also helps you analyse which of your existing skills are more beneficial in an organisation and what areas you need to work on more.
Internships give you hands-on opportunities to acquire and polish skills specific to the company and industry and make you a more attractive candidate for long-term employment within that organisation.
2. Put theoretical knowledge into practice in the real world
An internship bridges the gap between book smarts and real-world applications. They let you step into the actual workplace and see how things work firsthand. Suddenly, all those theories and concepts from your textbooks start to make sense.
You will see how businesses operate, apply what you have learned, and even realise where there might be gaps in what you know versus what is needed in the real world. Also, the internship timings are perfect as they help you use the theoretical knowledge in real-world practice when it is still fresh.
3. Get hands-on industry insight
Internships are a great opportunity to enhance your skills and stay updated with what is happening in your field. Whether it is meeting people, attending workshops, or working on practical projects, witnessing day-to-day operations at an organisation helps you learn company dynamics and master industry-specific activities and trends.
Internships offer a glimpse into the workflow, processes, and methodologies unique to an organisation or field. It is about understanding the culture, the dos and don'ts, the unwritten rules that no lecture can encapsulate.
4. Increase direct employability prospects
Companies prefer to hire interns who have proven themselves rather than bringing in someone completely new who needs time to adapt. Internships let you show your skills and how well you fit into the company culture. If you do well during your internship, you have a higher chance of getting hired.
When a company invests time and resources into training during an internship, it sees the potential for the candidates to be future employees. If there are job openings or future projects, you have a better chance of getting considered. Your familiarity with the company's operations and culture puts you at an advantage over external applicants.
5. Access guidance from seasoned professionals
Internships are about learning from those who have been in the field for a while. Seasoned professionals within the company can become your mentors during your internship. They have been on the same path you are just stepping onto. These professionals can provide advice, share experiences, and offer a perspective based on years of industry knowledge.
The feedback they provide on your work helps you understand your strengths and areas needing improvement. Having a mentor or being guided by experienced professionals also opens doors to learning beyond your designated tasks. They might continue to be a source of advice or even act as a reference when you are applying for future opportunities.
6. Test different career paths
Internships are low-risk, high-reward opportunities to experiment. They help you decide if the job is right for you. Maybe you are interested in finance but also have a curiosity about graphic design.
Internships let you explore these different interests and figure out what truly resonates with you. The experiences you gain are critical in shaping your future career trajectory. You might discover a passion you didn't know existed or realise that a certain field is not what you thought it would be.
7. Build valuable professional connections
Every person you meet during your internship program is a potential connection. They might become a mentor, a colleague in the future, or provide you with a reference or recommendation. The connections you form during your internship may also act as your safety net during the career transition phase.
These connections are invaluable. They can offer insights, advice, and maybe even open doors for future job opportunities. You never know how a chat over coffee with someone higher up in the company can shape your career trajectory.
8. Potential for academic credit
Internships can double as academic endeavours, depending on your educational institution's policies. Some colleges or universities offer academic credit for internships, especially if they align with your field of study.
The criteria for getting academic credit for an internship differ across institutions. Often, you need to complete certain requirements that your school sets, like submitting reports, keeping a journal of your experiences, or having evaluations from your internship supervisor. These requirements ensure that your internship experience is academically assessed and contributes meaningfully to your education.
9. Understand workplace dynamics
During an internship, you get to observe workplace dynamics. You will witness how teams collaborate, how decisions are made, and how communication flows within an organisation. Understanding these dynamics helps you fit into the workplace ecosystem.
Understanding workplace dynamics also teaches you soft skills like teamwork, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. You learn to handle office politics, manage expectations, and find your place within the professional environment.
10. Obtain credible recommendations for future roles
Your supervisor or manager at the internship can become a crucial asset in your professional journey. The recommendations they provide hold weight because they come from someone who has observed your work firsthand. They can vouch for your abilities, attitude, and how you handled responsibilities during your internship.
A strong recommendation from a respected professional in the industry can make a major difference when you are applying for future roles or higher education programs. Since they are based on your actual performance, it makes them more convincing to prospective employers or educational institutions.
11. Adjust to diverse work cultures
Every workplace has its unique culture, norms, and ways of doing things. Interning at different organisations exposes you to various work environments. You encounter different communication styles, expectations, hierarchies, and ways of approaching problems. This helps you adapt and thrive in diverse professional environments.
12. Build a strong resume
Gone are those days when internships on resumes were considered a nice plus. Now your resume is just not complete without this vital stamp. The specific tasks, responsibilities, and achievements during your internship become valuable entries on your resume that showcase your capabilities to potential employers.
Employers love seeing internships on a resume because it signals initiative, a willingness to learn, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings. Even if your internship is not directly related to the job you are applying for, the skills you gain – communication, teamwork, problem-solving – are transferable and valuable.
13. Learn to prioritise tasks efficiently
In a real work setting, you will often find yourself bombarded with deadlines and competing priorities. An internship teaches you how to differentiate between urgent and important tasks, manage your time effectively, and handle pressure without crumbling.
Prioritising tasks efficiently is a skill that is transferable to any job. Internships provide a safe space to learn and practice this skill without the pressure of a full-time job. It is a skill that is highly valued in today’s job market because it directly impacts your efficiency and effectiveness and makes you a more valuable asset in any workplace.
14. Get a higher salary
Believe it or not, internships can have a lasting impact on your future salary. Since you are already familiar with the company, it makes you a more attractive candidate to existing employers. It helps them save costs as they don't have to invest as much time and resources in training you from scratch.
This continuity in your employment can result in a higher starting salary compared to someone entering the company without any prior experience. Even if the internship doesn't directly convert into a job offer, the skills and experience gained help you negotiate a higher starting salary when you land your first job elsewhere.
15. Identify personal strengths & passions
Internships serve as a testing ground for discovering what you are good at and what truly interests you. In a classroom, you might have a vague idea of your strengths but an internship puts those skills to the test in a real-world setting. You get to see which tasks you handle effortlessly, where you shine, and what areas make you feel most fulfilled.
You might have a general interest in a particular field but an internship can help you go deeper and discover aspects of that field that truly ignite your passion.
16. Build your confidence
Your college becomes your comfort zone and stepping out of that can be unnerving for a fresh graduate. But the truth is entering a professional setting where your contributions matter, where your work has a real impact, can do wonders for your self-confidence.
When you see your ideas being valued or your work making a difference, it is a confidence boost like no other. Even if you stumble or face challenges, overcoming them during your internship helps you grow and reinforces your belief in your capabilities.
Internships also provide a safe environment to make mistakes and learn from them. This learning curve is essential for building confidence. You realise that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
How can you make the most out of an internship?
Internships do increase your chances of getting a job after graduation. But for that, you should make the most out of these opportunities. Here are proven strategies that will make the process easier for you.
- Set Clear Goals: Understand what you want to achieve from the internship. Whether it is learning specific skills, networking, or understanding the industry better, having clear goals will guide your efforts.
- Be Proactive: Take initiative and go beyond assigned tasks. Volunteer for additional projects, ask for more responsibility and seek opportunities to contribute creatively.
- Network: Connect with colleagues, supervisors, and other interns. Building relationships provides mentorship and future job opportunities, and gives a better understanding of the industry.
- Get Feedback: Always ask for feedback on your work. Use it constructively to improve and grow professionally.
- Observe and Learn: Pay attention to how the organisation operates. Understand the dynamics, processes, and culture. Learning beyond your specific tasks can be invaluable.
- Document Your Achievements: Keep a record of your accomplishments, projects, and skills acquired during the internship. It will be useful for future job applications or references.
- Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask questions. It shows your interest in learning and understanding the tasks at hand.
- Take Notes: Write down what you learn, whether it is about the industry, technical skills, or general workplace etiquette. This helps retain information and shows dedication.
- Show Initiative: If you have ideas or see areas for improvement, share them. Companies appreciate fresh perspectives.
- Reflect: Periodically reflect on your experiences. What skills did you gain? What could you improve? Reflection aids personal growth.
Prosple Australia: Maximise the advantages of internship opportunities
Prosple is a one-stop shop for students looking for internships. It is an online platform that offers internship opportunities from various companies across different industries. It simplifies the process, matches you with great opportunities, and provides resources to help you shine.
Here is how Prosple can revolutionise your approach to securing top-notch internships:
I. User-friendly interface
The platform is designed with simplicity in mind. You can easily navigate through the website, filter internships based on your preferences like location, duration, or field, and find what suits you best.
II. Exclusive access
Prosple collaborates with top-notch companies and organisations. That means you get access to internships that might not be advertised elsewhere. So you are among a select group of candidates who have access to these unique and high-quality internship positions.
III. Internship insights
Prosple provides insights into what it is like to intern at a particular company. These resources offer real accounts from past interns, sharing their journeys and lessons learned. They also showcase a typical day for an intern at a particular company and outline their tasks and experiences. This helps you understand the culture, tasks, and environment of a company before applying.
IV. Notifications & alerts
Prosple simplifies finding an internship through its notification features. You can set alerts for specific criteria so you are always in the loop when new opportunities matching your preferences arise.
V. Internship matching algorithms
Prosple’s sophisticated algorithms start by understanding your educational background, interests, and previous experiences. Then they analyse your preferences – industry, location, type of internship (remote, part-time, etc.). They also assess your skill set to identify your strengths and areas where you are looking to grow.
Once they have this comprehensive profile, the algorithms sift through a vast database of internship opportunities available on Prosple to match you with the most suitable internships based on the criteria analysed.
Conclusion
We know the benefits of an internship are countless but approach it with a can-do attitude. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. Stay open to feedback, find a mentor, and take initiative in tasks – all these can enhance the internship experience and leave a lasting impression.
If you are looking to land a dream internship, Prosple is the ideal platform to explore. We offer customised tools, intimate insights, and a community that ensures a professional launch that aligns flawlessly with your aspirations.
Ready to make your internship search a breeze? Sign up now and set the direction straight for your future.