Don’t doubt the power of experience

Summer is here. For me and many other college students, that means transitioning our lifestyles from “college kid” to “intern.”

Having just finished my junior year at Indiana University, the stress of final exams is still fresh in my mind. I’m an advocate of flashcards and all-nighters before the exam, so moving into a full-time internship is an adjustment. It’s strange (but great) that when I get home at the end of the day, I don’t have to crack open a textbook.

A recent study by the New York Federal Reserve, however, makes me reevaluate some of those all-nighters, and makes me even more grateful for my internship experience thus far. Three economics professors from University of Wisconsin La Crosse, University of Pennsylvania and Auburn, respectively, sent out more than 5,000 fake resumes for online jobs to see what employers were really looking for when hiring graduates.

The results? Only 17% of the “candidates” created by the professors heard back, and their distinguishing factor was not their GPAs or even their majors, but whether or not they had completed a summer internship. Those with internship experience, even years prior, were 14% more likely to hear back than those without experience and a higher GPA.

As a student, this study is unlikely to change my work habits in the classroom. While your overall GPA may be less significant during the job hunt than before, it’s still a number plastered at the top of your resume. If anything, this study should motivate me and interns all over the state to work even harder. Make those connections, don’t be afraid to speak up and put your best foot forward, even on your worst days.

For those without an internship, it’s never too late. Keep looking, as it may mean the difference between a career and underemployment down the road. Interns can reap the benefits of a successful working summer for years to come.

Read more about the research study here:  http://on.wsj.com/1jsfTtR