top of page
                                                    Blog                                                                        

 

Search

What's a College Internship and Why Do You Want One?

  • Writer: robertalachman
    robertalachman
  • Dec 28, 2021
  • 3 min read

Let’s start with a definition: Internship: noun The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.

The typical goal of the position is to provide the student with exposure to and experience in the work related to a future career. Some internships are paid, others are not. In the case of non-paid internships, some states require that the student receives college credit for the internship.That does it for the small print. Now, on to the why and the how.

What are the benefits of an internship?

Here are some of the reasons internships are worth pursuing:

  1. If you have little or no work experience on your resume, this is your chance to add some.

  2. The experience will provide you with exposure to a potential career. While you may not get to do high level work, you’ll have a chance to absorb the vibe of the type of place you might choose for future employment.

  3. The experience will provide a potential employer with exposure to you. This is a unique chance to show a potential employer what you’re made of. Many times internships lead to full time hiring after graduation. In fact, for some employers, the internship program is a direct conduit to post college hiring.

Participating in an internship shows your commitment to making informed decisions about your future and willingness to put the time in to do so. Once out in the work force for the first time, an internship shows that another organization was willing to hire you. How will I find an internship? Finding appropriate internships can be hard work. Here are some ideas on how to approach the search:

  1. Use your college’s employment and career resources to their fullest.

  2. Narrow your search by targeting specific companies. Learn about the companies, call HR to see if they offer internships, and craft your inquiry to what they are looking for.

  3. Look in your own back yard. Your college may have internships available, and as a student, you may be a prime candidate.

  4. Ask your professors for recommendations and introductions.

Use online resources. There are at least half a dozen useful search platforms for internships, covering corporate as well as nonprofit and research opportunities. Check out websites such as WayUp and YouTern. Cast a wide net. Apply for 15 to 20 positions. These are highly competitive opportunities and you’ll want to increase your odds for success. When should I intern? Typically, college students look for internships for over the summer. This makes sense given how jam-packed the school year can be. However, there can be a few advantages to securing an internship that is scheduled during the school year.

  1. Since fewer students are looking for these opportunities, the competition is bound to be less intense.

  2. You’ll be able to complete more than one or two internships while in college when you add a school year experience to your summer options.

  3. Doing an internship during the school year may help you realize that a particular field is not for you. In that case you can shift your summer internship search to an alternate environment. One caveat for school year internships: Be honest with yourself. School work still needs to come first. Be sure you have the organization and study skills to juggle work and school obligations before committing to an internship during the school year. One last thing. Internships are not for everyone. They usually take place in business environments. If your future plans don’t include a traditional business setting, talk to professors at school about participating in research projects that might better support you on your career path.


 
 
 

Comments


College Fit 360

(818) 903-2166

(310) 720-2934

Info@CollegeFit360.com

© 2025 by College Fit 360

Tags:  College Consulting Los Angeles  College Consultants Los Angeles  College Consultant Los Angeles  College Counseling Los Angeles  College Counselors Los Angeles  College Counselor Los Angeles  College Advisors Los Angeles  College Advisor Los Angeles  Academic Advisors Los Angeles  Academic Advisor Los Angeles  Educational Consultants Los Angeles  Educational Consulting Los Angeles  Educational Consultant Los Angeles  College Academic Counseling Los Angeles  College Academic Counselors Los Angeles  College Academic Counselor Los Angeles  College Admissions Counseling Los angeles  College Admissions Counselors Los Angeles  College Admissions Counselor Los Angeles  College Admissions Consulting Los Angeles  College Admissions Consultants Los Angeles  College Admissions Consultant Los Angeles College Prep Los Angeles  College Prep Consulting Los Angeles  College Prep Consultants Los Angeles  College Prep Consultant Los Angeles  Los Angeles College Consulting  Los Angeles College Consultants  Los Angeles College Consultant  Los Angeles College Admissions Consulting  Los Angeles College Admissions Consultants  Los Angeles College Admissions Counseling  Los Angeles College Admissions Counselors  Los Angeles College Admissions Counselor  Los Angeles College Counseling  Los Angeles College Counselors  Los Angeles College Counselor  College Consulting San Fernando Valley  College Consultants San Fernando Valley  College Consultant San Fernando Valley  College Consulting Westside  College Consultants Westside  College Consultant Westside  College Consultants Beverly Hills  College Consultant sSanta Monica  College Consultants Pasadena  College Consultants Glendale  College Consultants West Los Angeles  College Consultants Culver City  College Consultants Venice  College Consultants Mar Vista  College Consultants Brentwood  College Consultants Pacific Palisades  College Consultants Encino  College Consultants Sherman Oaks  College Consultants Studio City  College Consultant Burbank  College Consultants Woodland Hills  College Consultants Granada Hills  College Consultants Calabasas  College Consultants Van Nuys  College Consultants North Hollywood  College Consultants West Hollywood  College Consultants Hollywood  College Consultants San Gabriel Valley  College Consultants Conejo Valley  International College Consultants  International Students  Nationwide College Consultants  Virtual College Consultants  College Coaching  College Success Coaching  College to Career Strategies  College to Career  College to Workplace  Getting Your First Real Job  21st Century Workplace  Couch to Career  Get a Job After College  Workplace Skills  Soft Skills  Career Consultants Los Angeles  Career Strategist Los Angeles  Career Counselor  Career Strategies  Helping College Grads Get Jobs  College Fit 360  What Now 360  Roberta Lachman  Joan Weiss  College Essays  Help With College Essays  Writing College Admissions Essays  How Do I Apply To College  How Do I Get Into College  Getting Into College  College Applications  Sacramento College Consultants   College Consulting Sacramento   College Consultants Sacramento   College Advisors Sacramento

bottom of page