The Importance Of Internships And The Relationships They Bring

Personal Improvement Project: Soft-Skill Development

 
Internships are an opportunity to network with great people and sharpen your skills before entering the workforce. They also help tremendously with figuring out your true passion. Companies often look at them as a way to gain experience and exposure to make a smooth transition into your role when hired.
 
1. Helps Gain Exposure
School teaches skills but doesn't give exposure to what work is like in real life. That's why internships are crucial. Not only do you get to learn from experts, you get to pick their brain on how they got to where they are, but to learn from their lessons to help you get ahead. You also get exposure to learning industry lingo which will help you in an interview. Internships give you a foot in the door — take it! - Amy Odeneal, Tech Recruiters
 
2. Opportunity To Learn And Make Mistakes
Internships are an opportunity to put the knowledge and skills acquired in school to use — where the rubber meets the road. Good mentors and internships shape the way young professionals view the world of work and prepare them for their next steps. Great internships and mentors light a spark, giving young professionals an opportunity to experiment, make mistakes and learn in a safe environment. - Kshitij Jain, Joveo
 
3. Develop Better Professional Skills
Your internship program should be led by someone who is dedicated to the development of another individual. This leader must be willing to spend time on the ins and outs of the role the intern is pursuing and steer them back on course when they get off track. The goal is for the intern to leave the internship more developed as a professional, not just more proficient in one specific skill. - Lisa Shuster, iHire
 
4. Create A Balance Between Experience And Potential
Interns need to think about the balance between experience and potential by taking on internships and creating mentor relationships. Interns start to convert their potential into true business, on the job experience. Gaining skills outside the academic environment is a skill itself. The earlier they can focus on this, the more likely they are to succeed in the long term. - Jonathan Reyes, Reejig Corp
 
5. Gives A Perspective Of Real Life
Internships are critical to identify what they do and don't want to do. It helps them gain perspective of what "real" life looks like and what matters most to them. The relationships and mentors they develop will help them tap into their authentic selves so that they can successfully choose their next steps and hopefully start their journey in a career they will love. - Iman Abbasi, Plume Design, Inc.
 
6. The Chance To Work With A Great Mentor
Internships are only as valuable as the mentor assigned. Great mentors have a vested interest in your professional success. They are your compass on this wild ride we call "careers." Their purpose is to guide you to the best path, challenge you to go further, achieve more and assist you through the hurdles. A great mentor can change the trajectory of your career; a bad one can too. Choose wisely! - JacLyn Pagnotta, Allied Partners
 
7. Great Way To Network With Professionals
Early career professionals are guided by recruiting teams who have cultivated relationships throughout their educational journey. Interns also establish a network of business leaders who champion their stretch opportunities—strong relationships for a lifetime. Their project brief-outs have executive leadership visibility, enterprise-wide. - Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
 
8. Discover New Talents And Passions
Internships are a great opportunity for students to gain information about their future profession. Interns should be willing to take on assignments to discover hidden talents and new passions. Also, if there’s a specific area where they would like to focus, they should find out who is the best and learn from them. Generalists teach general knowledge, but experts teach expertise. - John Feldmann, Insperity
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