Internships: What are they? Why are they Important? And How Can I Get One?
Most young people, and especially students, believe that a great university degree is the key to success. Although a prestigious qualification will help you get your foot in the door, the reality is that employers are looking for much more than that.
Each year, more and more students are enrolling in university, therefore, it’s no longer a rarity to have a degree. You’ll need much more than that in order to stand out to employers. In the current market, companies and organisations are looking for individuals with both talent and work experience.
So, how does one exactly go about getting an internship? In this blog, we’ll be covering what an internship is, why they are important, and, most importantly, how you can go about securing one. If you’ve been thinking about gaining work experience, keep reading to find out how!
What are internships?
An internship is when an individual embarks on a professional learning experience for a specific period. Internships can last anywhere from a few weeks to various months. These opportunities are usually offered by established organisations to prospective students that have a yearning to study in that field.
Most importantly, internships provide meaningful, practical, and relevant work experience in your desired field. For example, if you have always wanted to work in the hospitality sector, you may find an internship at a hotel to be useful.
You can even get rotating internships which allow you to experience various roles across the company at once. These are typically offered at larger enterprises, but they are incredibly useful for teaching students a wide range of skills and responsibilities.
Why are they important?
Generally, speaking internships are crucial for two distinct reasons. The first reason is that relevant work experience will place you at the top of the list when it comes to applying for jobs in that sector. Employers are looking for initiative and first-hand experience when it comes to hiring new individuals.
Imagine your dream job advertises a single position for an exciting new role in a department you’ve always dreamed of. It’s likely that there will be a handful of candidates, all with relatively similar skills and qualifications. However, having the most relevant work experience could be the deciding factor that puts you before the rest of the candidates.
Secondly, having an internship or two below your belt will help you get to grips with the real working world. You’ll be able to learn what it is that you like and what it is that you would rather not pursue. This is perhaps the most valuable thing an internship can provide you. Sometimes discovering your passion feels more like a process of elimination rather than an unknown calling.
How can I get one?
There are various ways that you can go about securing an internship. The most traditional way is by searching for any open positions online or at nearby companies. Most organisations will have a few spots available each year for interns to come in and learn the ropes.
Adversely, you could find a specific internship through an academy. Some industries are very tough to crack and going through an academy could help you get a foot in the door. For example, Beyond Academy internships in London offer a wide range of internships in sectors like Engineering, Architecture, Fashion, and much more.
Another way that you can go about securing an internship is by directly contacting companies that you would like to work for. This technique works well because it shows that you have plenty of initiative. The worst thing that could possibly happen is that the company says no.
Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. The best way to start is by creating a professional LinkedIn profile that lets employers know you are a hardworking individual looking for relevant work experience. Make sure you list all of your skills and that you personalise your messages in accordance with the role and company.
All in all, work experience can open many doors for you. It’s not just about learning the tricks and the trades of the job, it’s also about learning what you truly enjoy. You may believe that you’ve always wanted to work in finance, but after an internship, you may think twice about your ideal career. The important thing to recognise is that the world is your oyster, and you can achieve anything that you set your mind to.
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