What are the benefits of an internship?

• Internships help you explore the “real world” as you begin deciding the area or areas in which you might like to work one day.  Sometimes, the internship confirms your current interest in a particular area, or it may assist you in discovering that your choice is not what you wanted after all.  Of course, there is also the chance that an internship will open new vistas you have not even thought of yet!  Regardless of the outcome, the experience of working with professionals will provide another building block toward your career and will allow you to apply many of the concepts you have learned in the classroom.
• You may receive academic credit if you meet certain criteria (please see the form in Appendix A on pp. 28-29).
• There is a good chance that you will be paid at least minimum wage, if not higher.  However, many unpaid internships are very worthwhile as you begin to establish yourself in the field.
• Internships are evidence of your commitment to enhancing your education.
• Future employers will be impressed that you had the initiative to secure and succeed in an internship program. 
• The organization that sponsored your internship may offer you a full-time position.
• An internship will definitely enhance your resume and provide a “talking point” when being interviewed.  You can use the experience to impress the interviewer with your working knowledge of your chosen field as you apply for a full-time job or graduate school.
• Many internship sponsors will write very positive recommendation letters on your behalf.
• You may be able to work for a summer or two outside your home town!
• An internship will assist you in gaining a new perspective on the work place, and to some extent, life.
• Your guardians will be extremely happy that you are one step closer to a full-time position or your Master’s degree!