5 Benefits of a College Internship Before Graduation

Have you ever enjoyed a “free trial” period for an online video game, streaming service, or membership? That’s kind of what an internship is like. You work (sometimes for pay) for an employer like Disney, Lockheed Martin, NASA, or EA Games for a few months. This is a great way to decide whether you enjoy a specific type of work or industry, gain experience, or even get hired after your internship! Internships come with many benefits — and the best time to apply for one is while you’re completing your college degree! Here are five reasons we recommend every EFSC student get an internship before they graduate:

1. You Get To Try Out the Career

Just as you can’t know your favorite flavors without tasting them, the only way to figure out whether you like marketing, healthcare, or art is to try them out!

Internships provide a hands-on opportunity to put your curiosities, skills, and interests into practice. Some internships are only available to students near the end of their bachelor’s degree, while others are open to students at any point during their academic journey. Your campus’ Career Center can help you identify the right internships for you, based on your interests and percentage of degree completion.

Don’t forget: If internships aren’t an option for you at this stage, you can try Service-Learning — another hands-on way to learn what you love and test-run new skills and experiences.

2. It’s Your Chance To Meet Other Professionals

You’ve probably heard the phrase: “It’s all about who you know and who knows you.” It’s true! Up to 85% of jobs are obtained — not by applying to a job you find online, but by networking with others. When you’re at an internship, surrounded by others who do the same type of work that interests you, you might connect with someone who later helps you get your foot in the door of your dream job.

It’s a good idea to set up a LinkedIn profile now. That way, you can professionally connect with others at your internship, such as your internship supervisor, team members, and fellow interns. (In 2016, LinkedIn reported that 70% of people hired through their site had at least one personal connection to the companies they applied to!)

3. Your Internship Supervisor Makes a Great Reference

Job applications, usually require three references — people who can testify about your character and quality of work. In addition to previous bosses, teachers, and mentors, your internship supervisor can make a great reference — especially if you’re applying for a job in the same industry as your internship!

4. It’s an Amazing Resume Builder

Have you ever found job hunting discouraging? Most jobs ask for one to three years of experience — even for entry-level work! A great way to gain this experience is through internships. Internship experience is work experience. Include it on your resume! Also: Don’t forget to list any new skills or accomplishments you gained during your internship such as software, skills, topic matter, or projects.

In addition, internships help set you apart from the pack. When employers review resumes, they look for unique experiences and skills that make certain candidates stand out. Many employers give extra consideration to candidates with internships listed on their resumes.

5. You Might Get Hired Afterward!

Just as an internship allows you to “try out” a job, industry, or employer, that same employer is also “trying you out” as a potential employee! Statistically, up to 70% of interns are offered a job after their internship. That’s why putting 100% into your internship can literally pay dividends. Your internship could benefit you by being the first step in finding employment out of college.

Ready To Find the Right Internship for You?

Whether you want to become an aerospace engineer at NASA or an animator at Walt Disney Studios, the Career Center can help you find college internships to build your skills, gain experience, and benefit your future.

Some A.S. and B.A.S. programs at EFSC have an internship built into the curriculum or offered as an optional elective course for college credit. You can speak with your advisor or check your program curriculum to see if this is an option for you. If so, preparing for your internship course as early as possible will maximize your experience. Fill out the Student Internship Inquiry to get started!

If you’re not in a program that offers an internship course for credit, good news: You can still find an amazing internship with the help of the Career Center. Schedule an appointment with your campus’ Career Center to discuss your options or claim your Handshake account to look for local internship opportunities. We look forward to helping you succeed this semester!

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Casey Covel

As Assistant Manager of Web and Social Media at EFSC, Casey keeps students informed of all the exciting "happenings" at the college. She earned national honors while completing her A.A. degree at EFSC, graduated with a B.A. in Human Communication through UCF, and is currently pursuing her M.A. in Media Psychology at Fielding University. An award-winning writer on matters of faith and pop culture, Casey’s hobbies include sipping tea, wielding chopsticks, gaming in the realms of Tellius and Hyrule, growing her action figure collection and squinting at strange words.