Internship As Bridge To Stable Employment
“You need experience to get experience”
This seems to be a little challenging for young adults transitioning into the workforce these days
It’s not always easy to go from a student to a professional stage of life. When they start working, students face a variety of difficulties. They must implement their conceptual knowledge in the new workplace in order to adapt themselves to the professional environment.
Internships are one of these and are increasingly playing a crucial role in the transition from school to the workplace. Internships were once only offered in high-income nations, but they are becoming increasingly widespread in low and middle-income nations as well.
Every area of human existence is undergoing a transformation in the current millennium, and the field of education is not exempt. Success in one’s profession can now be attained in other ways besides scholastic aptitude. Over time, the concept of internship has grown to include additional characteristics including emotional intelligence, interpersonal competence, social awareness, and self-awareness.
The development of soft skills in students is necessary to enhance the technical knowledge they have learned during their studies because they complement hard skills and are crucial in determining personality. Giving students internship training has been found to be a successful means of enhancing their soft skills and better preparing them for the future.
Does being an intern
make it easier to find a job?
According to the survey, it implies that over 1.3% of workers are interns, and roughly 50% of college students report having completed an internship as part of their education, where internships originally gained popularity.
According to a recent study, your paid internship will result in a job offer 60% of the time if you are a recent college graduate working there. However, the news is much less uplifting for individuals who were participating in unpaid internships. Whereas, 37 percent of unpaid interns received employment offers. Just 1% more graduates without internship experience received employment offers, out of which 36% did.
The main reason paid interns typically receive better offers is that they spend more time gaining practical experience than they do performing administrative duties. While unpaid interns only devote 30% of their time to professional activities, paid interns spend 42% of their time on responsibilities like project management and analysis and just 25% on administrative work.
Let’s examine how internships are impacting students’ life. We also should consider how they can benefit us and how they have changed life by paving the way for employment.
Impact of internship
on personal and professional development
“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”- Aristotle
Many educational institutions are beginning to agree that internship programs are a great way for students to prepare for their future careers and as professionals. They give the students work-related experience. On the other side, they make it simple for businesses to choose adaptable, qualified and experienced job applicants.
We live in an era of technical advancement and invention. Therefore, it is essential to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace.
Students benefit from internships by developing positive character traits, productive work habits, and a noticeable level of confidence. Students who have internship chances can more quickly find high productivity. They assist them in establishing a solid network for their first job by facilitating their direct interaction with corporate executives.
The experiences we have shape who we are as people. A deeper understanding of oneself will result from an internship, in addition to encouraging personal growth. Knowing oneself entails comprehending one’s goals and the best way to achieve them. Even though it might be challenging, sometimes all it takes is attempting something new and moving outside of your comfort zone to get this degree of clarity.
Serves as a platform for networking and gives you a
competitive boost
In order to build relationships and contacts that will advance your career, people exchange information through networking. Without an internship, you can attend a networking event, but your options will be more limited. When you intern, you can develop stronger bonds with people than you could if you were simply interacting with a total stranger.
As an intern, you will have more chances to network with business associates, which could be beneficial for your future career. It’s usually a good idea to have a backup strategy. There is never a good time in life since it is so unpredictable.
Everyone is aware of the competition in the job market in the current economic climate. There could be thousands of applicants for the same position as you. You will therefore require a plan to enable you to gain a competitive edge and stand out.
You can develop skills and experience through internships that will make you stand out to employers and show them why you would be a good fit for their company. It also shows that you are motivated and enthusiastic about getting experience outside of the classroom.
The transition from
an internship to a job
Graduating from college and immediately starting new employment can have its drawbacks. When it comes to layoffs, you are the employee who is most vulnerable when you first start.
If you have never worked full-time before, the change may be difficult. Employers are constantly looking for ways to improve their business, and internships allow you the chance to show a potential employer your skills, dedication, and worth.
Consider an internship that involves a lot of work. Speak with folks who have previously held the position and inquire about their experiences before accepting an internship position. Always conduct yourself professionally. Respect the workplace hours and dress standards established by the company. Leave your personal life at home and show respect to everyone you meet.
Utilize the opportunity to speak with key leaders. Make friends with your fellow interns at the same time. They can all be helpful contacts for jobs. Pose inquiries. Don’t be afraid to ask questions concerning tasks. You are expected to be a sponge for knowledge as an intern.
Moreover, after spending time and money to teach you, businesses are more likely to hire you. Given these factors, an internship is absolutely essential for your future professional success. It is a bedrock for laying the foundation for a successful career is an internship.
So the next time you’re on a summer holiday or gap year, you might want to think about pursuing a worthwhile internship to advance your career.