DO INTERNSHIPS ADD VALUE?

Internship Importance by Barbara Latimer

Wow!  I cannot believe graduation is right around the corner and I’ll soon bid CSU farewell. I will no longer be a student, but someone’s employee. Am I ready for that?  The answer is a resounding YES. I have learned what I should have from my instructors academically, and I have completed an internship in my selected field of study. That internship opened doors for me.

Internships may be paid or unpaid, but all should be structured to maximize the intern’s opportunity to learn about their chosen profession. The intern performs as if a professional employee, and in exchange receives mentorship, training, and supervision. Student interns should take advantage of the opportunity to observe their surroundings and emulate the appropriate business attire, communication, and work ethics. The most effective internships will reveal any additional prerequisites a graduate may need for an in demand occupation, and make available professional networking opportunities.

Finding employment after graduation in today’s challenging times can be difficult, but the task is inarguably easier when a student has completed an internship. Having ‘real world’ relevant work experience prior to graduation is a competitive advantage, and this is especially true in a weakened job market.  I would encourage everyone to seek out an internship.

Edited by: Maria Brown

Networking Is In!

By: Mikki Dixon
 

Internships are not without merit.  Internships aid students in narrowing down their respective fields of interest, but offer little to no real world work experience.  Internships generally entail menial work better suited to someone with a high school education, the pay is usually minimum wage, and it offers no guarantee of a job offer after the internship is concluded.  In fact, the vast majority of internships do not lead to long-term job opportunities.  In the ever-changing landscape of job hunting, the single best way to secure gainful employment is networking.

Career counselors agree that networking is the best way to find a job in today’s shaky economy.  In days past, perspective employees had to hand deliver their resume to their potential employers.  At which point, the job searcher could meet someone inside the company face-to-face.  Those days are long gone.  Nowadays resumes and cover letters are submitted electronically.  Since the act of applying for work has moved entirely online, perspective employees no longer have the advantage of becoming a “face” and a “name.”  Now they are relegated to being just another number.

Career networking is no longer an “extra;” now it’s a necessity.  Landing a job in today’s market it is all about who you know and what kind of impression you have left with that individual.  It’s important to be “LinkedIn,” and to attend networking events such as luncheons and dinners.  More importantly, one needs to do everything possible to volunteer in their career of interest, particularly if their intention is to change career fields or if they are graduating from college and need experience in said field.  This networking not only provides experience in the field, but it also provides him or her with important networking opportunities.

If anyone has interest in narrowing down and deciding whether or not he or she is interested in one field, an internship is the obvious answer.  If he or she actually wants to find a career, the clear choice is to invest copious time networking.


Edited by: Maria Brown