There are numerous benefits to completing internships while you are studying: you can work while you learn, gain insights into real business environments, and learn how to handle on-the-job challenges.

Why is a college internship important?
Your academic career equips you with the knowledge required to pursue a good career. However, you do not gain much hands-on experience when it comes to applying that knowledge. This might prove to be a hurdle in getting a good job after you graduate.

Many employers want experienced applicants for even entry-level positions. This is not possible without on-the-job training while you are still in college. The way to gain such experience is through a college internship.

Increasingly, many colleges are also emphasizing the importance of internships for their students as it helps add value to their education.

What do you gain through a college internship?

• You learn how the knowledge and skills acquired through the classrooms and laboratories apply in the real world
• You learn new skills outside of your field of study, like interacting with peers and higher executives, learning to work within a team, and using and sharpening your interpersonal skills
• You get a peek into workplace dynamics, such as how to deal with different types of people and how to handle different challenges. In turn, this can reduce the time it takes to adjust to new conditions and settle in when you get a full-time job after graduation
• You will mostly have a mentor supervising your work and guiding you on how best to accomplish the tasks assigned to you
• You will benefit from the experience and insights of senior employees whom you interact with
• You will get deeper insights into the field of work, which can help you decide if that field is appropriate for you. This may even help you choose the right majors in college
• You may also gain an idea of other elective courses you can add to your studies, to get more relevant knowledge for your field of specialization
• You may be able to receive college credits for your internships
• If you get a paid internship, it can help you with college and personal expenses, giving you a certain level of financial independence
• A college internship that is relevant to your majors adds definite value to your resume. Employers are more likely to consider you as a good candidate for job opportunities
• You learn to stay motivated and break the habit of slacking off and neglecting your coursework. You acquire good work ethics that will also help you in your academic career
• You gain confidence to face new situations and challenges
• You will have the chance to network with executives who may later help you when you are seeking a job

So, if you get the chance to do a good internship that is relevant to your course, grab the opportunity. Choose the programs with care, see if you can also gain college credits from some some of them, especially the unpaid internships. In fact, the more college internships you complete, the better your prospects of getting a good job.