Is an Internship Right for You 3 Ways You Can Find Out

Is an Internship Right for You 3 Ways You Can Find Out Image via Pixabay 1. Paid vs. Unpaid: Perhaps the largest conflict when deciding on an internship is accepting an unpaid position over a paid one. Students are not the only ones who feel a push/pull effect regarding unpaid internships, many people from business professionals to college administrators debate on whether or not an unpaid internship is worth it or even ethical. According to Abigail Hess of CNBC, “whether these roles are a crucial professional stepping stone or a form of exploitation, it costs money to give away your  time for free. Unpaid interns must support themselves with little free time, and the opportunity cost of working for free is higher than you may expect.” Unpaid internships have the possibility to be great opportunities for those who can afford it. For others, however, taking on an unpaid internship can be detrimental and affect how a student or graduate lives on a daily basis. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same set of circumstances so it is tough to make a generalized statement regarding paid vs. unpaid internships. Before you become discouraged, simply evaluate your situation, determine whether or not you can afford an unpaid internship or would rather pick up a paid job instead for the moment. There are plenty of paid internships out there, however, hourly wages depend on the industry of the internship and the company’s financial situation, according to StudentCaffe. Whether or not you take on a paid or unpaid internship, the key to finding the right one for you and your circumstances is talking with your campuss career center and searching online through job apps/sites. 2. Judge What You Will Gain: Internships are all about meaningful experience to further your future career, right? Keeping this in mind, it is important to evaluate what kind of work experience and knowledge you will gain while interning before you agree to take on the job. Are you looking to simply gain some basic exposure at a larger company or are you looking to really narrow your interests and work at a smaller one? This question is important as it will help you decide what kind of internship you are looking for and what kind of company you would like to work for. Peter Vogt of Monster quotes Virginia Taverna-Delgado of Washington State University, stating, “Eventually, students are going to have to elaborate about their internship experiences in a job interview, she adds. At that point, the companys name may not be relevant. So, when it comes to deciding where and who to intern with, just remember, it is the experience that you will be gaining that matters, the company is a bonus, but not the only element employers consider. Image via Pixabay 3. Utilize All of Your Resources: When looking for internships, it can be hard to sift through all of the opportunities provided by various job search sites. You can be bombarded by filters which can determine location, wage, job type, availability, etc. First and foremost,  before  you consult any kind of online job search, take advantage of your college’s career center, it is literally their job to help you build a resume and explore your career options. According to  Dawn Rosenberg McKay  of the Balance, “Your college career center may be able to help you find an internship. They often have established relationships with employers who will alert them to available opportunities. The career counselors or other professionals can also assist you with your resume and job interviewing skills.” Additionally, career fairs, company websites and job sites can help you find the right internship for your schedule and career goal. Going on the long and sometimes arduous adventure of internship hunting is not easy, it can take forever and leave you conflicted and disappointed. However, if you follow my three simple steps and be patient with yourself, you’ll come to the right decision in no time. As always, good luck!