An internship can be the perfect way for you to discover if a company or industry is the right fit for you. It’s the same reason you’re encouraged to go on several dates before deciding if you want to commit to a long-term relationship.
According to Forbes, internships can be a great way for companies to take individuals on a “trial run” to see how you fit in with the existing culture, and to see how you work.
So, the dating analogy works both ways––there’s no comparison between a dating profile, and a real-life date, just as a LinkedIn profile can’t compare to a human with personality, humor, and real-time responses.
Looking at it from an employer’s perspective, internships play a crucial role in pinpointing processes that are in need of improvement. Additionally, they assist in resolving daily challenges by encouraging you to ask questions, get creative, and showcase your abilities. Ultimately, this builds a more successful organization.
If you’re still unsure about kick-starting your career with an internship, consider the following:
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You’ll gain exposure
This is your opportunity to make a name for yourself, whether it’s through a LinkedIn profile, a by-line, or at industry events. It’s also a fantastic time to familiarize yourself with company or industry jargon, which will boost your confidence in future interviews.
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You’ll discover new things
Uncover new passions and talents: Internships provide you with a wonderful chance to gather insights about your future profession. Taking the opportunity to participate in various projects allows you to uncover hidden talents and explore new passions. Additionally, if there’s a specific area you wish to focus on, it’s beneficial to identify the experts in that field and learn from them.
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You’ll get experience
In an interview with several interns who participated in The New York Times ten-week summer internship program, David Liu shared his experience. Despite studying computer science at Princeton University and initially expecting to work on the NYT website, he found himself working on The Times’ backend subscription system—a role he never anticipated or actively sought. At the end of his internship, he described this position as his “dream job”.
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You can upskill or retrain
If you are considering an internship as a mature student looking to upskill or retrain, this can be a chance to bridge the gap between your previous career and the new field you’re pursuing. In pop culture reference, this is the route taken by Chandler Bing in Friends, to great success!
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Learn on the job
By choosing an internship, you can gain practical experience, apply your existing skills in a different context, and learn on the job with the guidance of industry experts. This hands-on experience empowers you to make informed decisions about your career transition and set a strong foundation in your new pursuits.
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Apply your knowledge
An internship also gives you the opportunity to learn and make mistakes. Bringing all that you learned in theory in college to the workplace to apply it in real-time can be daunting. With a good internship, this is an opportunity to learn and experiment on the job, while in a safe space.
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Get a mentor
Many programs and internship roles come with help in the form of more senior mentors. Having a good mentor to show you the ropes and encourage you to be experimental is extremely valuable. It is understood that as an intern, you are not an expert, and there is an expectation that some mistakes will be made along the way.
The GradCafe Job Board
If you are looking for an internship that will give you real working experience and add value to your skillset, The GradCafe Job Board is a fantastic jumping off point. Filled with roles across all sectors and experience levels, there is an abundance of opportunities from leading US and global companies. Below, you’ll find three opportunities that are perfect for graduates looking to dip their toes in the water.
Intern, ubs, Coral Gables
The Role: Ubs welcomes Interns to become a part of its team, working with experts and learning about the industry, clients and the firm. You’ll gain valuable insight, develop new skills, and establish a network of mentors and business contacts.
The Responsibilities: You’ll be working within a WMA branch office providing advice-based solutions.
The Requirements: You need to be enrolled in a two or four year college or university, have a balanced resume which includes solid academic performance and campus involvement, plus a genuine interest in developing a career in wealth management.
Apply for the Intern opportunity here.
Accounting Internship, Blue Company, Cincinnati, OH
The Role: This Accounting Internship role requires the same tasks as a new staff accountant. You will be mentored and receive timely feedback while learning from the collaborative relationships with co-workers, Blue’s leadership teams, and client business owners.
The Responsibilities: You’ll assist on audits and reviews, understanding the impact of business transactions on the financial statements and cultivating the “business advisor” perspective. Preparation of basic financial statements and schedules for clients.
The Requirements: Strong academic performance (Minimum GPA 3.2), accounting, finance or related business major on track to meet the 150 credit hour requirement for CPA exam.
Apply for the Accounting Internship here.
Graduate Internship – Computer Engineering (MS/PhD), Intel, AZ
The Role: Intel is looking for world class computer engineers to help it build the future of technology and in this Graduate Internship, you’ll be considered for hardware engineering, HPC system validation, debug engineering, AI software solutions engineer and system software development engineer among other specializations.
The Responsibilities: You will help to solve technical challenges that no one has solved yet, work with cross-functional teams to deliver IP solutions for products that impact customers’ lives.
The Requirements: You must be pursuing a Master’s degree or a PhD in computer engineering, with six or more months of educational or industry experience.
Apply for the Graduate Internship now.
