The Benefits Of An Internship

Why is it so imperative nowadays for students to do an internship? 

The answer really varies from one individual to another, and of course, from one profession or field to another. For several professions, ranging from psychology to social work to pharmacists, nurses, among others, it has become obligatory for candidates to complete at least one placement or internship before they are able to graduate. The common belief is that the placement is, indeed, one of the most important experiences in a student’s life that is likely to have a direct impact on his or her future professional career.

The following article, adapted from Khas University’s blog, lists the essential transitions brought about in internships.

From theory to practice
What is learned at school is usually at the theoretical level, rather than application. The students do research and study on a subject, gaining an insight to the issue but usually they are not really capable to employ such knowledge in the working world. An internship, sometimes known as placement, would enable the students to implement, whenever possible, their theoretical knowledge into practice – while everything is still fresh and vivid in their minds.

From university culture to corporate culture
Juts like any university has its own rules, regulations and particular lifestyle or ‘university culture’, so does every company have a ‘corporate culture’ which defines life in this institution. Without any previous corporate experience, people may get tied up about how to act, what to wear, how to arrange personal relationships with others in such an environment. Students who make themselves acquainted with the ‘real’ working world are at an advantage to others who never had such an experience. Moreover, an internship could show the student whether the future corporate life is what he or she really is seeking for.

From student identity to worker identity
The major responsibilities of a university student are to attend classes, take notes, pass the exams. In this instance, one is responsible only of himself or herself. The working life, on the other hand, is not so self-ruled. An employee is equally responsible to the employer as to himself or herself. The work achieved belongs not only to the self but also to the department, even to his or her company. Therefore, it is necessary to accomplish assigned duties on time, effectively and in coherence with the other workers. This is the core responsibility of the ‘worker identity’.  

From internship to full-time work
An internship is more than just a preparatory step in gaining experience for work. In many cases, it is also the bridge to a good job. Several students who show a notable performance and were diligent in their work often end up gaining work on a full-time basis after they have completed their internship (or placement) successfully.

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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