Why Become an Intern?

An internship is a work-related learning experience for students who wish to gain hands-on experience in a professional environment. Some internships are paid and some internships satisfy the criteria for academic credit. No matter the compensation, every student, whether eligible for academic credit or not, should pursue a meaningful internship to gain the hands-on experience that employers find so appealing.

Additionally, internships help students to:

• Identify potential interests
• Work in a professional environment
• Network and make connections
• Learn more about a particular field
• Build and develop a resume
• Gain the competitive edge in employment or graduate school admission
• Increase skills and clarify values
• Boost self-confidence
• Become more marketable for future employment
• Make the connection between classroom theory and real-world application, often increasing a student's motivation to learn.

It is worth noting that in a 2005 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 45 percent of employers responding said that they offer higher salaries to entry-level hires who have had intern or co-op experience. On average, those salaries increased by 6.5 percent.