The Internship Advantage: Gaining Real-World Experience Before Graduation

Wondering if internships really make a difference in your career journey? Let's explore how these hands-on experiences can transform your professional trajectory, drawing from the insights of professionals who've leveraged internships to launch successful careers.

The Power of Early Experience

For many professionals, internships prove to be career-defining experiences. As Olivia, currently a Global PR Manager, emphasizes: "Internships totally changed my post-grad trajectory. So if you have the opportunity to intern, I really recommend doing it. Even if it's just part-time, it'll be really beneficial in not only helping you figure out what you like, but to start to build your resume."

Building Your Career Path

Internships often serve as stepping stones, creating a chain of opportunities. Olivia's experience illustrates this perfectly: "Had I not gotten that first internship at that small boutique agency in Orange County, I wouldn't have gotten my second internship in-house with Oracle. And ultimately it was that second internship with Oracle that led me to my first full-time job post grad, which then led me to my current job."

Real-World Application

The value of practical experience cannot be overstated. Aidan, now an Engineer in Training, provides some advice to college students: "Put yourself in a position to get an internship after your junior year. That is, to me, the most important thing you can do... Doing your best to get an idea of what it's like in whatever field you're interested in is so much more important to me than any class you can take."

International Perspectives

The impact of internships transcends borders. Mild, now an Account Manager at Meta, shares her experience as a student in Singapore: "Realizing early on that I wanted to transition into business was very helpful. And so what I did was take advantage of the time I had for internships to gain experience in a business realm... That's one of the things that helped set me up to get into this Account Management role at Meta, because I had some sort of experience through my internship in my undergrad."

Making Career Decisions

Internships can also help clarify career paths. As David, now an M&A Investment Banking Associate, reflects: "I did internships for jobs that I didn't fully understand very well... or in areas that I later learned I could not stand. I thought equity research was incredibly fascinating, and at the end of [my internship], I determined I could never do this job. I'm grateful that I knew that; when I looked for jobs in the future, I had no doubt that was not an area I would explore."

Key Benefits of Internships

• Practical skill development

• Industry exposure and networking

• Resume building

• Career path clarity

• Professional relationship development

  
  

Making the Most of Internship Opportunities

The consensus among professionals is clear: internships are invaluable for career development. Whether you're exploring different industries or building specific skills, these experiences provide unique insights and connections that classroom learning alone cannot offer.

Looking Ahead

As you plan your college journey, remember that internships aren't just resume builders—they're opportunities to shape your professional future. Start early, be proactive, and don't be afraid to explore different areas of interest.

Whether you're considering your first internship or planning your next one, remember that each experience contributes to your professional growth and can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

The path to career success often begins with meaningful internship experiences. From building professional networks to gaining practical skills, internships provide the foundation for a successful transition from academic life to professional success.

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Want to learn more about how your specific background could translate into a career path? Visit us at Advize for more insights from successful, relatable professionals sharing real information to help.

If you ever want to reach out for help, advice or networking, shoot us an email at hello@advizehub.com or message us on Slack!

Wishing you success,

Emily McSherry

Founder & CEO