How important is it really to do an internship before applying for a job? Do you need to get the hands-on experience that is talked about when discussing the importance of internships or is it really a matter of just landing the right job?

What if I don’t have time to do an internship?
During the school year students may feel overwhelmed with coursework, sports, or co-curricular activities that may keep them extremely busy while leaving no time to think of doing an internship or a job. Many students may also feel that they are caught in a bind since they need to make money to pay for their expenses but they can only find unpaid internships in their field.

Getting your feet wet by doing an internship
Internships are a proven way to gain relevant knowledge, skills, and experience while establishing important connections in the field. Internships are also a way to get your feet wet and find out if a specific field is something you could see yourself doing as a full-time job. Unpaid internships may be easier to get but may also pose problems if making money is necessary.

Doing an internship and a job
For those who need to maximize the amount of money the make, they may look into doing an internship during the academic year when they are less likely to expect to make money. In addition to internships, volunteer opportunities can also be an excellent way to gain experience and exposure to the work force. Employers love to see volunteer experiences on a student’s resume. Volunteering shows commitment to causes and certain values that are intrinsic to the individual who have participated in these types of experiences. Employers look for employees who are publicly engaged and who take an interest in community service and in doing good work.

What employers want?
Internships and volunteer experiences make candidates more competitive in the job market.
In addition to gaining exposure and experience in the field, they also provide an opportunity to see if the particular career field is the right one based on getting personal experience in the field. No matter what opportunities you engage in, it’s important to maintain professionalism and take on the individual responsibility that is required.

The benefits of doing an internship
By doing a great job and completing more than what is required of you in your internship, you will be creating a great impression that can provide a great reference letter at the least and may even potentially lead to a potential job offer.

When you leave the organization at the end of the internship, you should ask for a recommendation letter that you can keep on file for future reference.

Internships are a learning experience
Internships are a way to get the relevant work experience that employers value when interviewing applicants for open positions. Internships are a great way to learn the ropes so even if you find yourself filing or making coffee, as long as you’re learning about the field take advantage of the opportunity and don’t take the experience lightly.

Asking questions is one key to learning in an internship and keeping yourself flexible throughout the internship can open many doors

source:republica,11 June 2013