Internships can be make or break when trying to get a job after college. With the job market competitive as ever, internships can be that resume booster that will clinch the job. Now it's not impossible to get a job without an internship, but they can seriously help your cause.
First of all internships get your foot in the door. Some industries can be hard to get into and an internship can help build lasting relationships with potential employers. For example CVS has a pharmacy intern program that actually recruits it's interns in order to hire them as pharmacists after graduation. This is often the case for many companies.
When you've got your foot in the door, you have to build allies and contacts. It is so important to maintain relationships with superiors. Even if your intern location isn't hiring, I'd bet they have connections to another company that is hiring. Intern preceptors and superiors are a great recommendation resource. Connections are key and internships can build those key bridges needed to break into the professional world.
Once you get an internship it is crucial to make a good first impression. Dressing professionally as well as acting professional is important to make a lasting impression. While all this professionalism is going on, you should still be yourself and let your personality shine. Being quiet and reserved works too, but when in customer service a little personality goes a long way.
During the internship you absolutely need to work your butt off! Hard work and dedication is what employers what to see. They want to see how you would work for them if they hired you after graduation.
Often times internships are a time for innovation and progress. This can be a tricky balance beam to walk. It is important not to step on the toes of superiors, but it is equally important to challenge the status quo. Remember you were chosen to bring something new to the table, be that new research, processes or simply a different view point.
Internships can be a defining moment in your early career, but they are not the end all be all. Just getting an internship can be extremely difficult, sometimes hundreds of other college student are competing for the the same internship. Internship application is important to do early on in the hiring process. Companies will definitely look at many different aspects of potential candidates. GPA is important, but other skills such as your ability to talk to people and work with others are also very important.
Now go after those internships and change the world!
