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Why an Internship?
Why Internships Matter
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Internships are a critical component of your academic and
professional
development, and constitute a graduation requirement for most
SPEA degrees.
Internships are important because:
-
Professional
development. The
world of work requires a complex array of personal and
professional
character traits, some of which are not sufficiently
developed during
an academic career. An internship will help you develop
professional
skills.
-
Career optional
analysis. It’s
difficult to decide what you want to do professionally until
you’ve
actually done it.
-
Networking/contact
opportunities.
During the course of your internship, you’ll meet many
people
who can assist you with advice, guidance, and introductions
to others
who can help you with your job search.
-
Substantive subject matter
development.
You will learn more about the subject matter you’re
studying,
developing expertise at a different level than you may have
achieved
in the classroom.
-
Demonstration of interest in
work area.
Employers will not question your interest in an area in
which you’ve
actually worked.
-
References. Everyone
needs
them, and the best references come from people who have had
an opportunity
to observe your work habits.
-
Possible job
opportunity. Because
employers are risk-averse, many use their internship
programs as
an opportunity to pre-screen potential employees. Many
full-time
positions are filled by former interns.