Internships are one of the things that many college-aged people contemplate over and over again. Is it really necessary? How do I find one? Many of these questions and more ran through my mind. After taking a chance, here are the perks I have learned after taking an internship in college:

1. Contacts

Building contacts is one of the most important perks of completing an internship. It is so beneficial to create bonds with other professionals in your field. You never know when you may need a reference or have a question.

2. Resume builder

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the more experience you have not only in the work place, but also experience in your field, the better. Having an internship gives you the ability to have a one-up on your peers. If the decision of a position was based on experience, a person with an internship in that field would most likely get the job.

3. Professionalism

An internship really gives you hands-on experience in a professional workplace. It teaches you how to interact with others through phone calls, emails, and even meetings. This is a great skill that can be applied through many things in life.

4. Diversity

The workplace is a diverse space. Some people come from across the world, so it is important to understand how these people interact and think. An internship gives you the opportunity to meet people different than you, and allow you to work together to accomplish goals.

5. New knowledge

There is a good chance you will learn many, many new things while at an internship. Whether this knowledge is gathered about a product, a computer system, or people, new knowledge is always useful.

6. Responsibility

Many internships come with projects. These projects may be different in terms of difficulty or importance, but all of them come with responsibility. You are doing them for a reason, so it is important to take all of them seriously.

7. Pay check

Money is always nice, but it isn't a deciding factor in getting an internship. What the perk is about the pay check is understanding how to use money, how to save money, and more. Now is the prime time to make payments or even start paying off loans.

8. Confidence

Internships aren't a piece o' cake to apply for or receive, so getting one is a definite confidence booster. You can also gain confidence while presenting or speaking up in meetings. This is essential for the future.

9. Open doors for future

You never know what the future holds. My first internship has proved time and time again to be a place where I could genuinely see myself working in the future. Not only does your employer get to see your work ethic, but you get to see the values and benefits of your employee. This is a great tool and something everyone should take advantage of.

Now that you know the perks of an internship, there should be nothing to question. Take time to look for something in your area or even around the country that suits you. The opportunities are endless.