Top 10 Benefits of an Internship

College is an intensive 2-5 year period of education for your upcoming career. Completing an internship during college provides a great opportunity for short term hands-on experience in your chosen field. Many schools require internships for graduation, but if yours does not, do one anyway! The benefits far out-weigh any disadvantages.

Here are 10 of the top reasons to intern:

1. Provides chance to earn credit and money simultaneously - get paid while you go to school!
   
2. Experience firsthand things you will never learn in the classroom.
   
3. Compare what you now know to what you actually need to know.
4. Enables you to test and refine knowledge as you begin to develop confidence and competencies in professional skills.
5. Validates your career direction is correct - before you finish school and realize you do not really like the industry!
6. Helps you practice the art of finding and getting a job.
7. Network as you meet and connect with others in the field, which often provides leads on other workplaces that might be hiring.
8. Helps you make the transition from student to professional as you begin to think, act and dress like a professional instead of a student.
9. Offers the experience employers look for which gives you the competitive advantage over other applicants.
10. Increases your credibility and marketability after graduation.

Use your internship as a time to begin thinking about life after college. Prepare for your future job before you graduate.