Internships

If there is one thing that seems to unite the majority of college and university students it is the desire to earn an internship. And why not? Though not "real jobs" in the classic sense, they often put students on a direct path toward gaining employment. One of the primary purposes of earning a higher education degree is to gain a key credential that will make one more qualified for employment in a given field. As part of their higher education path, students are often encouraged to pursue internships to complement their classroom efforts as well as enhance their budding professional skills.

Further, particularly if the internship is in the same field in which the student wishes to pursue a career, it gives them valuable work experience in that field. Also, such an internship gives the student opportunity to demonstrate their capability to a prospective employer. For instance, for communication students, gaining an internship at a public relations agency is a big deal. Even if it does not result in a full-time job, just the experience is worthwhile and looks good on that student's resume. Fortunately, many public relations agencies and other professional entities are good about providing students with such a valuable opportunity.

As someone who has been in higher education for over 35 years, I have found students to take internships very seriously. They know as well as any one the potential value of such an experience and, consequently, give it their best shot. Companies and organizations that provide internship opportunities are wise to do so. Those that currently do not, should rethink their position on this. It is a win-win for everyone involved. On a broader scale, internships strengthen the alliance between the company or organization and the college or university the student in attending. Finally, how many internships should an organization/company offer? My answer: as many as possible.