Has anyone here benefited in their career by doing an internship?

[Kathleen04]

I'm a college sophomore, trying to decide what I should be doing this summer..working a regular job or maybe doing an internship. I'm curious what the real benefits of completing an internship are and whether it's really beneficial to do one. So I throw this out to the loungers, if anyone has any input or advice. Thanks. :)

[graywarrior]

1. We use interns at our non profit and the networking helps them

I got my job by volunteering for a few months.

[AlCzervik]

2. i did 2 summer interships with Ernst and Whinney, now Ernst and Young

i went to northeastern and it is a co-op program, school 6 months, work 6 months. I got a lot of experience and i think it was a big help, the pay sucked but it looked good on my resume and helped me land a good job when i got done with school.

[kwassa]

3. Many internships are valuble

in government circles, in law firms, and other places. They are a fact of life here in Washington, D.C.

They expose you to high-level work environments and give you exposure to people who make later hiring decisions, something that can be very hard to get.

[democracyindanger]

4. Depends on the internship.

I did one internship purely for the money (and company car). Had no application to what I ended up doing, but it was a good summer.

[SeattleGirl]

5. Internships were required in both my previous and current career

But they were paid positions, and as soon as the internships were done, I was considered first, a fully qualified substance abuse counselor, and then, a full vocational rehabilitation counselor. However, I also had to have my degree finished before or at the same time as the interships.

They are very valuable, because, whether it is a paid internship or not, you will be doing work in the field for which you are going to school.

[Orangepeel]

6. it depends on your field

but there are some highly competitive careers where doing an internship is really the best way in (advertising and broadcasting are two). Sometimes interns do little more than copy and fetch, but if it is a good internship, some doors can open for you that wouldn't with an entry level job, even if the job pays better. And, because internships often don't pay much (again, that depends on the field), some companies will take interns even if they don't have entry level jobs available. And, once you work there, they are more likely to hire you than an "outsider" as a college graduate (assuming, of course, you do a good job).

Also, with an internship, it can be easier to meet people at levels you may not be able to get to in an entry level job. For example, because you are receiving credit and will have to write a paper, you can ask to meet with upper level people and talk to them about the industry. That can help you later, of course.

on edit: I assumed you were asking about the benefits of an internship versus a low level job in your field. After seeing the other posts, I'm thinking you might be deciding between and internship and just something to make money, like being a cashier or a server. If that's the case and you can suffer on the low pay, ABSOLUTELY do the internship. It will look much better on your resume and help you make contacts.

[AwakeAtLast]

7. For me it was called, "student teaching"

If you want to use this analogy, that's fine. I would never have entered a classroom without
first getting some practice under the mentorship of a veteran teacher. I would think that would
also be something to think about in the workforce. There are so many things that are learned by
doing the job, not just studying about it. You also get the chance to make mistakes without any huge
repercussions. Your mentor will be there to help you watch out for the pitfalls and give you some
sound advice. I know the pay is probably not an incentive to do an internship, but I would recommend it!

:hi:

[DainBramaged]

8. I did an intern in the '70s

After I got out of the hospital. She was great.:woohoo:

[tjdee]

9. Do an internship, do an internship, do an internship.

If they really like you, you can parlay your way into a "real" job after graduation. You're a soph, though, right now it can be a great way to feel out what you want to do with yourself. If you're a comm major, for instance, you can try working in radio or PR or a newspaper to see what you're good at and enjoy. You can watch people in those professions to see if they're burnt out/happy/fulfilled. You can learn a lot.

Internships look good on your resume, too.

[driver8]

10. I did an internship in Washington, DC my senior year in college --

One of the best semesters ever!! I met some great people, worked hard, and played very hard. I worked for a public television station and I became good friends with the guy I worked for. He eventually convinced me to move to Southern California and was the best man at my wedding.

I got so much out of my internship; not just work experience but "people experience". Not only that, but I am as close to my internship friends as I am to my friends from college.

If you find an internship that you are interested in -- go for it!! You never know who you might meet that could someday help you.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. The first four years of my career were internships.

Part-time programming gigs, while I was in college. Absolutely indispensable experience was obtained.

[CarpeDiebold]

12. in my field

internship is a requirement after graduation.

BUT a lot of my college friends who did internships/co-op's have ended up at those same companies. it's really just a job audition, if you do a good job, you're guaranteed a job(more or less) when you graduate. plus work done in your field looks a lot better on your resume than a random, regular job.

go for the internship! it'll pay dividends!

[Kathleen04]

13. Thanks everyone!

Thanks for all the input. :)

[Heidi]

14. Absolutely.

I had my first internship when I was 17, and it really kicked off my career. :thumbsup:

[Robeson]

15. I taught Buddhist monks from Laos, English....

...as an internship when I was working on my Cultural Anthropology degree, long ago. I found it very rewarding. I hope they did, too. I guess a lot depends on your what you will be doing, and what your interests are.

[Tace]

16. I Was A Broadcast Journalism Major In The Early '80s

Did three unpaid internships -- two TV newsrooms and a local newspaper. I got hired at the UPI Detroit bureau as an editor before I could finish my degree. I ended up working full-time and attending classes part-time to finish my BA. In short, internships are invaluable.