Each summer, many people give up their time to complete an internship — maybe they're required for your school, maybe your parents convinced you to do one or maybe you just know you had to do one for yourself. Many internships are unpaid. You're considered lucky if you do receive some income. Usually, they're also not on the top of the list what you had in mind for summer. However, as busy as they can be, they're worth it in the long run. Here are six reasons why an internship during one of your summers is the right thing to do:

1. They help with deciding future career paths

The question, "what are you going to do after college?" is the most daunting one any student can be asked. By doing an internship, you're giving yourself a chance to decide if you really want to pursue the field you're in - or something else.

2. You get the chance to see your major in a real workplace situation

Internships aren't graded. It's up to you to decide how well you're going to do work and how much time or effort you'll put into what you're doing. The content you provide is real and lots of people will see it, unlike the things you produce at school for a professor.

3. An internship provides networking for any future jobs

Diving into what you're interested in is helpful, especially with finding others who like what you do. Within the company itself or outside the company, you're more than likely to find someone who will be a useful connection in the future.

4. They build character

Unfortunately, interns get the grunt work. It's your job to do all the stuff no one else really wants to do. It'll make you question if you really like what you're doing but then there will be a moment, maybe when you get your first real job out of college, when you realize it was all worth it.

5. You get the chance to question anyone and everything

The stuff you're doing for your company is what you might do in the future. Ask people if they like what they're doing. Ask people if they make a reasonable income. Ask someone why they're doing something they way they do it. Learn as much as you can by questioning things.

6. They look great on a resumé

Companies like knowing you took matters into your own hands and got an internship. It shows you care about your future and what you want to do next. Having experienced such as an internship can only help you, especially on paper.