Crystal Killingsworth
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
As the end of the school year rapidly approaches, students are scrambling to obtain any internships they can for the summer. But what about those students who have not yet snagged an internship because they don’t know how to go about acquiring an internship?
Some students wonder why they should actually apply for internships, where said internship should be, and why they are even entitled to have an internship experience.
When? Just as the saying goes, the early bird gets the worm and this is the same case when looking for a good internship.
According to Fox Business, the internship business is very competitive so it is of great importance that one applies early. One must always remember that it is better to be early when trying to get an internship.
Fox Business, also mentions that when looking for internships, students should remember these tips to make the process a little easier.
These tips include:
1. Have a resume that does not focus primarily on their major, but their talents and skills which will appeal to those hiring managers.
2. Understand paid and unpaid internships. Although it is always to get some sort of compensation for work, it is acceptable to not get paid in monetary form if it will pay you in experience later in life.
3. Be flexible and mobile. It is always a common preference to want to stay close to home, but one should not be afraid to venture out into the workforce when looking for that specific internship.
Where? Always remember to decipher between internships you need and the internships you get.
According to Fox Business, students should plan to look for internship vacancies and to research these internships for not only credibility but also for relevance to career preferences.
It is irrelevant for a student to get an internship in the financial industry when they are an education major. While it may show you have initiative and are work oriented, if it does not pertain to your career goals, it does not add to your resume. Try to always get an internship that specifically relates to your field, otherwise you are just wasting your time as well as experience.
Why? Obtaining an internship aids in the process of actually successfully achieving employment in the workforce.
According to Fox Business, Jeff Livingston, senior vice president of McGraw Hill’s College & Career Center, stated that students who find meaningful summer experiences are also the students who will most likely have good choices for full-time employment once they are finished with their degrees.
Also, according to Manchester, internships are a great way to test your likeability too your future profession. Gaining experience at an internship will not only give you a viewpoint of a profession but it will give one the opportunity to expand their resume and intellect, it also paves the way to connections.
Manchester also states that although the idea of internships may seem typical and may not be impressive on a resume, it still shows effort. Having an internship suggests to an employer that the applicant actually is career driven.
Jacqueline Harris, a senior sociology major from Drew, Miss. said that internships are great opportunities for college students like herself.
“I personally think that internships are great experiences and help you get a better understanding of your future profession,” said Harris.
Alexandria Drake, a junior social science education major from De Kalb, Miss. who has interned stated that the experience helped her with her studies.
“It exposed me to a lot of research techniques in regards to my field and it helped me to become involved in programs during school to help further my knowledge of my area of study,” said Drake.
Drake, also stated that the experience encouraged her to further her education post graduation.
“My internship encouraged me to pursue my education and go to graduate school,” said Drake.
