How Internships Can Benefit You?

By T.J. Bartels

Have you ever wanted to become a lawyer, a teacher, a dentist, a doctor, or some other occupation? If you have, you know the first thing to do after college is to land a good job internship with a local business or corporation you may be interested in.  Everyone has to start somewhere and a good job internship with a highly regarded company is the best place to begin your future endeavors.

            Steve Sipple, a sportswriter from the Lincoln Journal Star, views internships as an opportunity to “get your foot in the door” with a business that interests you.  “Sometimes you have to do the little things first and then the bigger things will eventually come,” he said.  For example, if you had an internship at a dentist office, you might start off as an aid to the dentist watching him carefully maneuver his tools and helping him x-ray the patient’s teeth before they see him.  “Studying your craft every day will lead you on a road to success,” Sipple said. Looking back, you will see that the little things in the beginning were a key part in a successful career. 

            Where should I start in obtaining a job internship? The first and most important thing to do is to build your very own resume`. When applying for internships, a good resume` and cover letter are very important documents to have in the application process.  Future employers will glance at your resume` for a brief period of time, and in that time period they are looking for the best possible attributes in a future employee.  The next best thing to have is a cover letter.  A perfect cover letter has no grammatical errors, describes yourself to a “T”, and gives your reasoning as to why you are applying for a position with the company.  If you are fortunate enough to reach the interview stage, the first thing an employer notices is you, so be sure to make a good first impression before the interview even takes place.

            During the interview, appear confident!  Look your potential employer in the eye when listening and answering questions, and use good manners.  You also need to be well prepared.  Do a little research before the interview to know which potential position you might be interested in if you were hired.  Ask questions! Don’t leave the interview wishing you had asked that one question.  You don’t know if it will be the difference in receiving an internship or not.  Finally, make sure you follow up after the interview takes place.  Make sure to send your interviewer a letter thanking him/her for spending time with you.  Be sure to repeat your interest in the position to them.  They will appreciate your determination.

            Why are internships important?  Internships are important for a variety of reasons.  Ann Nelson, director of Career Services at Dana College, says, “Internships give you a chance to see if it is something you are willing to pursue the rest of your life.”  If you can’t see yourself in this line of work in ten to fifteen years down the road, it may not be the job for you!

            Another reason to apply for internships is that these positions will help you build skills needed in future job offers you may take.  “You also learn jargon and job lingo which might benefit you in the future,” Nelson said..  Lastly, completing job internships help you build networks of people who are good sources for getting job advice and tips from their years of experience on the job.

            After graduation many college students stress out trying to find the right job or internship for them.  After following the few simple steps I have explained, this process should be much easier.  The most important thing to take note of is your resume`.  This is the first step toward your future, and a good resume` and cover letter can go a long way in your job search.  With these two steps covered, you will have a better shot of landing an internship after you graduate.  Once you have landed that prized position, where you go from there is all up to you.