As college sophomores rise to junior and upperclassmen statuses through the summer months, the heavy realizations that they have completed half of their college curriculum and that, at best, they have two more football seasons to enjoy, are tough realizations with which to cope. These realities appear even bleaker when these newly adorned adults are urged, if not required, to complete an internship in the upcoming semesters.

An internship has many names. Whether it is called a practicum, preceptorship, residency or “the blonde chick that makes the Starbucks runs”, all of these positions are designed to give students real experience in their desired field. For a girl who recently realized there is special stationary designed to win the affection of hopeful employers with its thickness or slightly tea-stained appearance (i.e. copy paper is apparently not suitable parchment to show the higher-ups) interning seems like an grand opportunity to show my lack of knowledge and clumsiness to people who are proficient in their profession.

So am I nervous to present my resume to people who are really good at their jobs? Am I inexperienced and unprofessional? Of course I am, I am still an undergraduate. I can’t even legally purchase or consume alcohol.

However, when I see how internships have impacted my recently graduated friends (some now have amazing, lust-worthy jobs that enable them to travel to every kick-ass city in America) it makes it worth the vulnerability and fear of putting my puny resume out there!

So, rising juniors, if your major requires an internship, fantastic. This forced university regulation is actually a wise one. On the flip side, if your major does not require you to intern, it is best to bite the bullet and do one or two anyway. I am convinced most employers think a student’s GPA is his or her golf score or BMI, because apparently the lower the number, the better, and the more likely that person is to get hired (again, obviously not true for everyone, just true for my acquaintances).

Another great thing about internships, other than they can change your employment status, is that they can allow you to experience another city, state, or even another country! As for myself, I am pleased to say I will be interning at the Australian Broadcast Company as I will be studying abroad in Sydney, Australia during Spring semester 2016. However, many people really enjoy interning locally around campus. Businesses around campus become well acquainted with students and faculty in the area. Plus, the unique and great thing about internships is that they are like eating leafy greens, the more, the merrier and the better. So, students could be complete overachievers and do multiple internships, some abroad and some locally.

So juniors and seniors, prepare for a mini-version of your future everyday life and intern away!

Here are a few articles that explain intern success far better than I:
http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-internship.
http://www.internships.com/student/resources/prep/7-tips-for-intern-success.
http://internships.about.com/od/internshipsuccess/tp/TipsforSuccess.htm.