Internships are vital because they give you the experience you need to be competitive in the job field. I thought that since it’s so essential to your life as an undergraduate student, that it would be pretty easy to find one. I can honestly say that I thought wrong…
“Start early,” they said. As a freshman in college it seems impossible to find an internship that accommodates your situation. Scrolling through endless websites searching for internships can drive you crazy because it can seem hopeless. You have to make sure you are looking for an internship that you are qualified for, because many internship listings are specific to graduate students or seniors. From there you have to worry about finding an internship that is near your location.
The biggest problem with the entire internship process is that you need experience. If I’m a freshman that doesn’t have any experience, how am I supposed to get experience if I can’t get an internship? I have yet to figure this out as I remain experience-less.
Getting a paid internship is what most undergraduate students look for. Having a paid summer internship is perfect because you get experience to put on your resume, and money to put in your pocket. Unfortunately, the chances of a freshman getting a paid internship is not likely. Employers are often looking for older and more experienced students to pay, rather than a student with no experience in the field. Even if you don’t get the opportunity to work a paid internship now, it will still be beneficial to work an unpaid internship just to gain the experience. This experience can help you secure a paid internship in the future because you will have experience.
It may seem like the internship world is plotting against you, but you have to keep trying. Not only are they good for experience, but they teach you a lot about yourself. If you get an internship at one place and don’t like it, you know that path wasn’t for you. You also get the chance to make connections and network with people and companies. This is all beneficial for you when it comes to finding your dream career!
Throughout my process I have realized you have to set your standards low. I went into this search thinking it would be a walk in the park, and I would find the perfect internship right off the bat. I can admit I underestimated the process, and it’s going to take much longer than I thought. The internship world is also very competitive, but keep a positive mindset dolls, we’ll make it through this struggle!
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