So why exactly are internships so important for college students to get ahead?
Internships are a great way for college students to get real world experience in their field of study. In today’s academic sphere, internships are becoming more important than ever – especially when it comes to gaining future opportunities. Here are some reasons why Tutor Doctor recognizes the importance of internships for college students and recommends all students explore internship programs!
Get hands-on experience in your field
This is usually the most common reason students pursue internships. Academic environments can be quite a bit different than real world applications, and internships give students an opportunity to experience that firsthand. A nursing student, for example, will certainly be expected to take classes on general health, anatomy, etc. However, an internship may provide important opportunities to see how an actual hospital operates, from checking in patients to emergency services. Real world experience is invaluable when making future career choices!
Prepare for graduate programs
If you’re planning on pursuing a graduate level degree, having internship experience looks great on your application. Not only does it show you’re passionate about the field, but the extra experience may give you that extra edge when trying to get into a master’s program!
Make future connections
This is probably the most important reason for college students to pursue internship programs. Internships can provide you with valuable connections in your field, which are especially helpful when planning a career later. Being able to form a network of professionals in your area of interest is critical, and many students find internships end up being stepping stones toward later employment opportunities.
Earn extra income
Although many internships are unpaid, there are plenty of paid internships out there as well. If you are a student that is looking for a way to make extra money while simultaneously attending college, the compensation received from paid internships can be a great way to do both. Although we must admit – even if internships are unpaid, we still recommend them to all college students. Some of the best experience in highly competitive fields is only available through unpaid internships. After all, you can’t put a price on knowledge!
Meet prospective employers
As we touched on before, internships can be a great way to make connections with other professionals in your field of interest. These connections may very well be the bridge that leads to future employment! Many students report that connections they acquired through internships directly led to future job opportunities. The professional relationships you can develop in the industry highlight the importance of internships to your future career. Having these personal links to other individuals in your area of study can make all the difference in getting your foot in the door for an interview.
The reality is that most college students don’t always know what they want to do as a career – let alone a major! In fact, upwards of 80% of students will change their major at least one time during undergraduate education. Some fields are very broad, and internships are an important way to narrow down your interests. You may even find yourself changing career paths!
in-home and online College Tutoring Services From Tutor Doctor
The importance of internships for college students and their future careers cannot be overstated. Get to know Tutor Doctor and how we help university students everyday achieve academic success. Find your nearest location today.
