JOBS RESOURCES
Limits on Tasks
Often, an intern find himself or herself doing
menial tasks that teach them nothing about the
field they hope to enter. A close look at types of
internships can help a grad decide whether an
internship is the right choice.
Financial Concerns
Often the first consideration when considering
taking an after-college internship is whether the
student can manage finances without a full-time
paycheck. Most internships are unpaid or only
offer a small stipend. After taking on the burden
of college debt, this may be impossible for some
students. However, parents may be willing to
continue to support the student if the likelihood of finding work in his or her field is slim.
Many areas of study require an internship for
completion of the degree’s requirements. This is
a somewhat different circumstance than a voluntary internship and is often considered part of
the academic expense. The student should have a
frank talk with parents about financial considerations to determine if additional part-time work
can help with the financial burden.
Students taking an internship position often
find themselves doing a multitude of low-level
tasks that can be boring and pointless. Though
they may be in the general environment of their
field of study, the internship may not provide
any exposure to the real work of professionals
engaged in the field. This can be extremely frustrating and can lead to a series of internships, all
hoping to find experience that is never actually
provided. The student should discuss the types
of tasks they will be given as well the hours they
will be expected to work in advance of accepting
the position. If there appears to be a problem
with the task descriptions for internship, the student should probably look elsewhere for a more
fruitful position.
Valuable Experience
If the student can manage the financial strain
of no or very little pay and works with a company that is concerned about providing a rewarding experience for the student, an internship can
provide many benefits. The student will learn
a great deal about the actual work environment
in their desired field. They will make important
professional and social contacts that can help
in acquiring future employment. In addition,
the student will be able to hone his or her work
skills, interview skills and have valuable experience to put on a resume.
Road To Employment
The company where the student serves an
internship may even his or her work so much
that they offer full-time employment. This outcome may or may not be the desired result for
the intern, depending on whether he enjoyed
the work environment and whether the work
inspired them to look into other areas of their
field of study. Regardless, the experience of
interning provides valuable contacts and experience to launch students onto paths that can benefit their future careers. u
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FEBRUARY 12 – FEBRUARY 18, 2016
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