5 answers
Joel
Student
Richland, Washington
1
Question
5 answers
David Slay
community / clinical psychologist (retired)
25
Answers
Seal Beach, California
Updated
David’s Answer
There's a bit of a trade-off for interns and the organization: the organization gets some extra "hands" to augment service delivery or work on projects with regular staff people, and the intern get hands-on supervised training and experience. Also, in the mental health fields, human service graduate school programs usually have fieldwork or supervised internship hours as one of the requirements for graduation. Also state licensure in clinical social work, professional counseling, and psychology all require post-graduate supervised experience as a requirement to apply for a license. In any event, however, organizations that have internships ideally have a priority of providing training to add to an intern's level of competency and to add well-trained new service providers to the ranks of practitioners, rather than considering interns as "cheap labor."
Kara Guthro
Professor of Construction Management
5
Answers
Rockville, Maryland
Updated
Kara’s Answer
Hi, Joel!
In addition to what the other posters have said, internships can give you a deeper understanding of different career paths within a company or field. Depending on the employer, some internships will be rotational, so you work with different teams in different departments during your internship. This can help you better understand the career paths that might align with your interests (or what career paths you really might not enjoy).
Internships are also two-sided. Not only are companies evaluating you as a potential future employee, but your internship will also give you a chance to evaluate the company as a potential future employer to see if its a place you'd like to work long-term.
In addition to what the other posters have said, internships can give you a deeper understanding of different career paths within a company or field. Depending on the employer, some internships will be rotational, so you work with different teams in different departments during your internship. This can help you better understand the career paths that might align with your interests (or what career paths you really might not enjoy).
Internships are also two-sided. Not only are companies evaluating you as a potential future employee, but your internship will also give you a chance to evaluate the company as a potential future employer to see if its a place you'd like to work long-term.
Daniele Brown
Financials Crimes Associate
6
Answers
Hinesville, Georgia
Updated
Daniele’s Answer
Hi Joel! It is pleasure to meet you! An internship is essentially getting your feet wet into an industry you may want to pursue without a strenuous commitment. It also allows you to network with those who you work with (paid or un-paid), allowing you to make connections that one day may help produce a reference letter for you. Most colleges and job applications require several references. It depends on what type of internship you do and the company you work for to what extent of tasks you will be asked to perform. It is also allows you to gain essential and relevant skills in the career of your choosing.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
616
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Joel,
Good question! Interns are useful for a variety of tasks and bring value to organizations in several ways, including:
1. Gaining Real-World Experience: Interns get hands-on experience in a professional environment, which helps them apply what they've learned in school and prepare for future careers.
2. Assisting with Projects: Interns often help with ongoing projects, providing support in areas like research, data entry, or creating presentations.
3. Learning New Skills: Interns have the chance to learn new skills and software that are relevant to their chosen field, making them more competitive in the job market.
4. Fresh Perspectives: Interns can offer fresh ideas and perspectives, which can lead to creative solutions for the company or team they work with.
5. Networking Opportunities: Internships allow students to build connections with professionals in their field, which can help them find jobs after graduation.
6. Lightening the Workload: Interns often take on small but necessary tasks, helping full-time employees focus on more complex work.
For a 12th-grade student, internships are a great way to explore potential careers and gain a clearer understanding of what they want to pursue after graduation.
Best wishes!
Good question! Interns are useful for a variety of tasks and bring value to organizations in several ways, including:
1. Gaining Real-World Experience: Interns get hands-on experience in a professional environment, which helps them apply what they've learned in school and prepare for future careers.
2. Assisting with Projects: Interns often help with ongoing projects, providing support in areas like research, data entry, or creating presentations.
3. Learning New Skills: Interns have the chance to learn new skills and software that are relevant to their chosen field, making them more competitive in the job market.
4. Fresh Perspectives: Interns can offer fresh ideas and perspectives, which can lead to creative solutions for the company or team they work with.
5. Networking Opportunities: Internships allow students to build connections with professionals in their field, which can help them find jobs after graduation.
6. Lightening the Workload: Interns often take on small but necessary tasks, helping full-time employees focus on more complex work.
For a 12th-grade student, internships are a great way to explore potential careers and gain a clearer understanding of what they want to pursue after graduation.
Best wishes!
Hanna Koivunen
Recruiting
3
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Hanna’s Answer
Being an intern offers an opportunity to learn, build relationships, gain insights into a potential career path, and develop business acumen. Exploring internships as a high school senior can help you decide on a college major and even serve as a stepping stone toward a full-time job in the future.
Internships provide invaluable hands-on experience beyond textbooks, giving you the space to apply your skills in real-world settings.
Advice: Take every opportunity to grow your professional network—connections you make during an internship may open doors to future job opportunities.
Internships provide invaluable hands-on experience beyond textbooks, giving you the space to apply your skills in real-world settings.
Advice: Take every opportunity to grow your professional network—connections you make during an internship may open doors to future job opportunities.