This is the final installment of the series discussing methods to narrow down what jobs youâd like to pursue post-graduation. For previous entries, see personality, exploratory coursework and career aptitude tests.
You wouldnât buy a car without taking it for a test drive. You wouldnât marry someone without getting to know them.
Why would you jump into a career without first completing an internship or a similar form of experiential learning?
Experiential learning is a key step in your career development and is becoming less of an option and more of a necessity (see this USA Today College story). Not only can you âtest driveâ a career, but you acquire skills and complete real-world work in addition to what you learn in the classroom.
With that said, the goal is not to land just any internship. As you begin your search, there are several factors you want to keep in mind before you begin applying.
- Decide on the skills you already have and those youâd like to hone. Internships are a give-and-take. Employers understand that youâre on board to learn, but they also expect you to add value.
- Be on the lookout for project work that would best complement your rĂ©sumĂ©. If itâs not clearly laid out in the job description, ask the interviewer what opportunities there are for project ownership.
- Consider whether certain internships will grow your personal network. Your net worth is your network, so think about each internship in terms of what opportunities you may have to meet professionals.
- Visualize yourself in the internship. Do you picture yourself enjoying the tasks and the work environment? Youâll do your best work when you have an interest in the mission of the organization. Location and compensation are also factors to consider.
Indiana INTERNnet can help you find the experiential learning opportunities that will jumpstart your career. When you create a profile (we have video tutorials to help you), you can list the skills you have and search internships based on jobs matching those skills. Since employers post the internships directly on our website, you can read job descriptions and apply all in one place.
The goal is to match you with an internship that is right for you â where you can shine and learn more about your chosen industry. Each internship offers you insight into a niche within your field; you might develop a passion for a sector you never considered!
If you arenât already registered on our website, we invite you to create a profile today. You can also sign up for our monthly e-newsletter, INTERNnetwork.
