5 Reasons You Should Complete an Internship Before Graduating

Back in university, I had no desire to complete an internship before graduating. I thought they were a waste of time and would only distract me from my studies. After graduating, I’d have the rest of my life to work so why start now? These were some of my views before a few go-getter friends changed my mind. They inspired me and made me see that internships were not a waste of time, but a valuable tool to shape your career path. I went from complete apathy to completing 3 internships before graduating. Looking back, a part of me wishes I didn’t spend most of my summer holidays working. Another part of me is glad I did. Here’s why: When I was younger, my dream was to be an accountant. I loved counting money and I loved maths. Perfect match. However, Economics became my favourite subject in high school, so I went on to study it in university (sorry, accounting). During the summer of my second year, I did a 2-week internship at a busy bank, and after a week, I was ready to leave. I didn’t like the company culture or the fast-paced nature of the role. The same thing happened during my other internships. After about a month, I had the same feeling. Long before COVID was a thing, I realised I didn’t enjoy going to the office every day. I just wanted to go home and curl up in bed. The job market can be brutal. There’s so much competition out there and most companies would rather choose a fresh graduate with experience than one with none. Research shows that having internship experience increases employment prospects during the first year after graduation. Luckily, some companies offer graduate schemes, giving fresh graduates job opportunities even if they have no work experience. Soft skills, leadership experience, and cultural fit are also things companies look for. But even if you have these attributes, you’d still be competing with graduates who also have the same attributes plus tons of work experience. For the longest time, I had a fear of public speaking. You know how it goes — sweaty palms, racing heart, and let’s not forget the infamous stammer. Internships helped me boost my confidence and gave me a platform to fail and try again. One internship came with a 10-minute pitch to senior leaders in the company. Another came with an interview process that heightened my resilience and presentation skills. Landing an internship is a confidence booster in itself. Completing it is the icing on the cake. Internships can help you discover new interests and gain exposure to different departments and roles in a company. They also reveal how far off everything you learned in school is from the actual world of work. My final internship was at a multinational bank. I was ecstatic because I had gotten rejected by other companies, which I shared in my article, “The Biggest Mistake I Made in a Job Interview”. I started my internship with a bang. My team was great, the company was great, and I was doing well. But after some time, I found myself struggling to enjoy the actual job. I became more interested in the qualitative aspects of the job like report writing, which only accounted for about 20% of the job. I would say this was the beginning of my discovering my passion for writing. After a string of internships and some years of trial and error, I realised that finance jobs were just not for me. Long story short, I took a chance at a career in HR, and I’ve been loving it ever since. If I hadn’t completed these internships, it might have taken me much longer to figure this out. From an employer’s perspective, internships are a great way to attract fresh talent with the added benefit of lower recruitment costs. It’s no wonder why job offer rates are so high. In 2022, nearly 7 in 10 interns received full-time job offers. I have many friends who got full-time job offers after their internships. Unfortunately (fortunately), I wasn’t one of them. It’s important to show a willingness to learn during your internship. You’re not expected to know everything. Companies look for promising candidates who are quick learners and show initiative. Another tip is to state your expectations or desires. Not everyone wants a full-time offer. In fact, 25% of interns reject their offers. So, if you’re enjoying your internship and want a full-time offer, let your teammates know, and especially your manager. You could say, “I’m really enjoying the things I’m working on,” or “It would be great to carry on working here after my internship.” Distinguish yourself and make your intentions known. It could improve your chances of clinching that offer. If you’re looking to work for a company after graduating, completing an internship will set you up for success. Just as a recap, internships can help you: Reveal your preferences Stand out in the job market Boost your confidence Discover new interests and passions Land a job before graduating Internships are a great way to jump-start your career. If you’re having trouble getting an internship, you can volunteer at a company or take on leadership roles in school. All these will help you gather the skills and experience to take that next step in your career.