Ryan Brassard ’30
Staff Writer
When the time comes and summer is right around the corner, for many of us, that would mean beach trips, going out, and sleeping in. But this also means internship season. While spending the summer working instead of relaxing doesn’t sound appealing, landing a summer internship can actually be such a great decision for college students instead of working at your local grocery store or fast-food restaurant once again. Internships provide real-world experience, help us build professional connections, but also help us learn and understand what we want to do for a career. In a competitive job market like the one today, getting that summer internship is not just a bonus, but it is an excellent step in building your future.
Now, while I agree that college can sometimes feel like a never-ending cycle of lectures, assignments, and exams, the importance is that these classes teach us HOW to think, and HOW to learn. And this is where internships come in. They allow students to take what they have learned in the classroom and put it into practice, both materialistically and intellectually. Whether you are studying business, communications, engineering, or education, an internship allows you to experience your field firsthand. Instead of reading about what professionals do, you get to experience it for yourself. That experience alone can make a huge difference when it is time to fully enter the workforce.
Of course, internships are not just about impressing employers, but they are also about discovering yourself and who you are. It is common for many students to enter college believing they know exactly what they want to do, but then realize later that their interests have changed. An internship can help you figure out whether a particular career is actually right for you, pertaining to your specific interests. Maybe you love the work, or maybe you realize it is not what you imagined. Either way, that is actually valuable information. It is better to discover what you enjoy and don’t enjoy doing while in college than to graduate and feel completely lost, or to thug it out in a job that you don’t really like but only do it for the money. That’s dumb because you’ll soon feel miserable. Regardless, internships allow us students to explore different career paths before having to make major decisions about the direction of our futures.
Some may argue, however, that the summer should still be reserved for recharging and relaxing or earning money through a part-time job, and that’s fair. Internships can be unpaid, which can make it difficult for students to support themselves or their families, or it can cause students to feel like what they are doing is not truly worth it. And that’s understandable too. Not everyone has the financial freedom to spend a summer working for free. However, we should still explore opportunities that can fit our needs. Paid internships, remote positions, and part-time internships can make the experience more accessible. An internship does not have to take over your whole summer for it to be worthwhile.
Getting an internship does take a lot of effort. You have to be able to be accountable for yourself. Some of us students may need to update our resumes, write cover letters, attend career fairs, and apply to multiple positions before hearing back. Rejection is a part of the process, and it can still be discouraging. Still, the worst thing someone can do is assume they are not qualified and never apply. Employers know that interns are still learning. They are not expecting us college students to know everything; they are looking for people who are motivated, driven, and ready to contribute. Taking that first step can be difficult, but it is an opportunity to grow.
No matter when you do it, a summer internship is an investment in yourself. It can help you gain experience, make meaningful connections, explore and learn your interests, and thoughtfully prepare for life after college. While a summer spent relaxing may sound so tempting, and believe me it is, a summer spent learning or practicing something new is just as rewarding. College for us is more than just earning a degree; it is about crafting your future and discovering what you are capable of. Getting that summer internship is valuable. It is the first true step of unlocking and building your career, but also your best passion.
Copy edited by Emma Bono ’30
Featured image courtesy of LinkedIn
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