In an era where connections can make or break one’s professional success, students should understand the value of pre-graduation internships.
Many students enter college under the impression that jobs will come to them simply because they are obtaining an undergraduate degree. This sounds plausible on paper, but it is unfortunately far from the truth.
As the modern job market expands and grows with new technology, a quality undergraduate education is not enough to meet new demands. More and more companies are looking for soft skills and experience only an internship can provide, and are willing to pay top dollar for them.
In fact, a study conducted on Swiss public university attendees showed that students with internship experience reported significantly larger post-grad salaries compared to those who did not have internships.
Internships also help students make valuable connections in their industry. One of the main responsibilities of an intern is to act as a liaison between influential higher-ups. These interactions provide the intern an opportunity to market themselves and show potential employers firsthand why they deserve more advanced roles.
These higher-ups often end up becoming invaluable mentors to undergraduates down the line, according to Forbes.
“Relationships are the foundation for a successful career,” Forbes contributor and human capital executive Megan Leasher said, “A mentor taking an intern under their wing […] will instill confidence and empowerment to last a lifetime.”
Employers also value the real-world experience internships offer young professionals. Students with no prior internships or exposure are often intimidated by workplace environments, as they have become used to academic settings. Internships help prevent this problem before workforce entry.
“School teaches skills but doesn’t give exposure to what work is like in real life,” Forbes contributor Amy Odeneal said, “Not only do you get to learn from experts, you get to pick their brain on how they got to where they are, and learn from their lessons to help you get ahead.”
This real-world exposure is even more beneficial in the post-pandemic era. With so many months spent social distancing and remote learning, students’ reintegration into in-person work environments became more difficult than before. Internships are an efficient and easily accessible solution.
However, COVID-19 also resulted in a hyper-competitive internship landscape, according to CNBC. This makes it more important than ever for students to secure one before finishing their degree.
Kennesaw State offers multiple resources for its attendees to connect to internship providers. The Department of Career Planning and Developmentoffers one-on-one consultations with counselors who help with resume building, cover letter writing and any other professional needs.
KSU students are also automatically eligible for Handshake, a job portal catered to students looking for internships in both local and national firms.
