Whether an internship is paid or unpaid this does not change its value. Here are just a few reasons why internships are investments in your future:
- Real world experience: Joining a company as an intern gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a professional environment. You are there to gain actual work experience. Internships help by teaching you more about the career path you are pursuing. They are a way to test-drive possible jobs and explore different career options.
- Networking: Internships often give you the opportunity to attend meetings and events. By interacting with professionals you gain new connections and learn how to communicate in a professional environment.
- Soft skills development: Internships enable you to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, improve essential transferrable skills, such as team-working, communication, and problem solving.
- Time management: As an intern you will become better at time management. When you are working in a fast-paced professional environment every minute counts. Time management is vital in every circumstance whether you are attending meetings, finishing tasks on deadlines.
- Career foundation: Internships provide you with the building blocks you need for your future. It is important that you choose you internships based on your interests and career prospects. As an intern you have the opportunity to get your foot in the door with a company. Keep in mind employers often use internships as a recruitment tool to test out future employees, and in many cases companies hire interns after graduation. Internships are great tools to improve your chances as a job applicant and help make you a better potential employee.