The Mystery of the Young Professional

The “young professional.” To the rest of the workforce, it’s a cryptic—even daunting—term and generation. Who are they? What do they want? What do they value?

To me, it seems simple. They don’t want your job; they want to help you do your job! The “young pro” wants to learn, assist, and prepare for the day they have their own job. Young professionals are recent college graduates or currently-enrolled college students. They seek new employment opportunities or internships. This group is young and energetic. They have experience with social media and new forms of technology you didn’t even know existed. They’re driven and creative. They all have different skills, talents, and interests. But, the bottom line is they are willing to work, and they want to learn. Young professionals are the future after all.

As supervisors and managers, don’t you want your future to be ready? If you answered “yes,” internships are a great way to recruit future company leaders.  In fact, the National Association of College and Employers (NACE) reports that the overall conversion rate for turning interns into full-time hires has hit an all time high at 58.6%. The following benefits of internships should be considered by all students:

• Gain valuable work experience— and build a resume while you’re at it. Have an edge in the job market—what looks better to an employer than a potential employee with reputable experience?
• Transition into a job—often there’s even a possibility for a future with a specific company or organization.
• Decide if this is the right career for you—internships are a great opportunity for trial-and-error!
• Networking opportunities—sometimes it’s not what you know it, but who you know.
• Applying classroom knowledge—Test out what you’ve learned in the classroom.
• Gain confidence—with a few internships under your belt, a “real job” may not seem so scary.

As for me, I’m a college student—a young professional looking for as much experience as possible. Like many other students and young workers, we want to try out different fields and discover our passion. Lucky for me, I have that opportunity this summer through an internship with Indiana INTERNnet. Responsibilities, time management, communication skills, accountability. In the past, they’ve been vague—even abstract—terms. But in the workforce, these words mean business.

What benefits have you experienced from interning?