Why it is so important to successfully complete a paid internship before graduation

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[00:00:33] Welcome to From Dorms to Desks. Job hunting tips for those early in their careers.

[00:00:37] A podcast brought to you by College Recruiter Job Search Site, which believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career and hosted by Work Defined.

[00:00:46] Join our AI co-hosts as they dive into tips, tricks, and insights that will help you land your next part-time, seasonal, internship, or entry-level job.

[00:00:55] Let's get your career started.

[00:00:59] All right. Let's dive into the world of internships.

[00:01:04] I know. I know. Internship.

[00:01:07] It doesn't exactly, like, scream excitement, does it?

[00:01:11] Right.

[00:01:11] It can sound kind of, well, expected. You know, like, it's just something everyone's supposed to do.

[00:01:16] Yeah.

[00:01:16] But the articles we're looking at today, they reveal some seriously surprising perks.

[00:01:22] Mm-hmm.

[00:01:22] Benefits I wish I had known about, like, way back when.

[00:01:26] So by the time we're done here, you're going to see internships in a totally different light.

[00:01:30] Okay.

[00:01:31] Think of it as, like, a secret weapon, a strategic advantage you can have no matter where you are in your career.

[00:01:38] Interesting.

[00:01:38] Yeah.

[00:01:38] It is interesting how many people just see internships as another box to check.

[00:01:42] Right.

[00:01:42] They don't get, they don't see how much potential a good internship can have, you know?

[00:01:46] Right.

[00:01:46] This isn't about fetching coffee and making copies. This is about maybe launching your career.

[00:01:50] A testing ground for your skills. A way to build your network.

[00:01:54] Exactly. It's like you get a backstage pass to your dream job.

[00:01:58] Yeah.

[00:01:58] So let's ditch those old assumptions and dive in. First stop. Why employers really love interns.

[00:02:04] Okay.

[00:02:05] And, spoiler alert, it's not just about cheap labor.

[00:02:09] Right.

[00:02:09] One article really digs into this myth, quoting professionals from all sorts of fields, marketing, HR, tech, and they all agree.

[00:02:17] Interns are a strategic asset. They're not there to just fetch coffee. They're seen as seriously valuable.

[00:02:24] Right.

[00:02:24] Like, Kimberly Tyler Smith, VP of Strategy and Growth at Resume Awarded, called them prolonged auditions.

[00:02:31] Oh, wow.

[00:02:32] The thing about that, companies always want to play it safe, right?

[00:02:35] Yeah.

[00:02:35] Hiring someone new is always a gamble. But internships.

[00:02:38] Yeah.

[00:02:39] They give companies a chance to really get to know someone before they hire them.

[00:02:42] That's a good point.

[00:02:43] It's like a try before you buy for talent.

[00:02:46] I like that. Prolonged audition.

[00:02:48] Right.

[00:02:49] That's a good way to put it, yeah.

[00:02:50] It changes how you see the whole thing, you know?

[00:02:53] It does, yeah.

[00:02:53] So you're not just there to learn. You're also being assessed on if you'd be a good fit.

[00:02:58] Right.

[00:02:59] How your skills could help them.

[00:03:00] Exactly.

[00:03:01] And it goes even deeper than that.

[00:03:04] Oh.

[00:03:05] How so?

[00:03:06] Adrian Hall, who's a business development manager, calls it mutual compatibility testing.

[00:03:11] Okay.

[00:03:12] He's saying that it's not just about the company liking the intern. It's also about the intern

[00:03:19] seeing if they'd thrive there.

[00:03:20] Oh, interesting.

[00:03:21] So it's not just one-sided.

[00:03:22] Okay.

[00:03:23] The intern gets a say, too.

[00:03:24] You do. It's like, you know, you're dating before you get married.

[00:03:27] Right.

[00:03:27] You're both figuring out if it's the right fit.

[00:03:29] I love that. Because it totally reframes the whole experience, right?

[00:03:33] Yeah.

[00:03:33] It's not just about proving yourself. It's about finding the right fit for you.

[00:03:37] Exactly.

[00:03:37] Listeners, key takeaway here. Internships. It's a two-way street. It's not just what they think of you. It's about what you think of them, too.

[00:03:46] I like that.

[00:03:47] Right.

[00:03:47] Yeah.

[00:03:48] Okay. So we've got this mutual compatibility test thing going, which I love, by the way.

[00:03:52] But hold on. Before we move on.

[00:03:54] Sure.

[00:03:54] I want to go back to something you said.

[00:03:56] Okay.

[00:03:58] About employers seeing interns as strategic assets. That's huge. What does that even mean, practically speaking?

[00:04:10] Good question. One of the articles talked about how companies now use internships to build their future workforce. It's like they're creating a talent pipeline.

[00:04:18] Like scouting for a tro sports team.

[00:04:20] Yeah. Exactly. They're realizing that giving internships is like a head start on recruiting. You find good people early, see how they work in the real world, and maybe even hire them before they graduate.

[00:04:32] So it's not just about right now. It's about planning ahead.

[00:04:35] Absolutely. And remember that stat, 65% of employers offering full-time jobs to interns. That's what happens when they think this way. Interns are an investment, not just a temp.

[00:04:46] That makes sense. And you know what else I thought was cool?

[00:04:49] What's that?

[00:04:50] Interns bring fresh eyes. They're not stuck in, this is how we've always done it.

[00:04:56] So true. One article mentioned a study, companies with good internship programs, they were more innovative. The ones without them weren't.

[00:05:04] Seriously. There's research on this.

[00:05:05] There is. It makes sense though, right?

[00:05:07] Yeah.

[00:05:07] Interns, they're seeing things new, new ideas, willing to ask why they can shake things up in a good way, challenge how things are done.

[00:05:15] So it's not just the intern learning. The company gets something from their viewpoint.

[00:05:19] Exactly. It's a win-win. Plus, don't forget, it's cost effective.

[00:05:22] Oh, right. Because interns, well, they don't get paid as much.

[00:05:25] Yeah. But it's not just the money. Interns can do projects others don't have time for.

[00:05:29] So it's like extra hands to get things done.

[00:05:32] Exactly. Freeze up the experienced people for the bigger stuff. Everyone's more productive.

[00:05:37] Okay. So internships, good for employers, good for the interns, lots of reasons.

[00:05:42] Right.

[00:05:42] But what about after the internship? It's not just gone from your resume, right?

[00:05:47] This is where it gets interesting. Strategically. Think about that. 84% of college grads in 2018, they'd done at least one internship.

[00:05:56] 84%. That many.

[00:05:58] Yeah. And it's only more common now. So nowadays, having that experience, it's not a bonus. It's expected.

[00:06:04] So if you haven't done one, you're already behind.

[00:06:07] Kinda, yeah. But don't freak out. Be proactive.

[00:06:10] Right.

[00:06:11] If you're a student listening, internships. Do those early.

[00:06:14] Don't wait till everyone else is applying senior year.

[00:06:17] Exactly. And if you're further along thinking internships, those were for back then.

[00:06:23] Yeah.

[00:06:23] Think again.

[00:06:24] Because the idea still works.

[00:06:26] Totally. Might look different. Maybe a short project, freelance gig, try a new industry.

[00:06:29] But the idea is the same. Gaining experience, making connections, showing you're eager.

[00:06:34] So it's not just the word internship on a page. It's what it says about you.

[00:06:38] Exactly. It says, I'm not settling. I'm always growing, learning.

[00:06:41] I like that. Okay. So we've covered why internships matter for both sides. But let's get practical.

[00:06:49] What can listeners actually do to make the most of it, whether they're in one now or planning to apply

[00:06:54] later? So for our listeners who are taking notes, what are the big takeaways here?

[00:06:59] First thing, remember that whole mutual compatibility thing?

[00:07:02] Yeah.

[00:07:02] Don't just apply to every internship you see.

[00:07:05] Right. It's got to be the right fit.

[00:07:06] Exactly.

[00:07:07] Yeah.

[00:07:07] Think about what you want, what you're into, the skills you need. Then find internships that match

[00:07:14] that.

[00:07:14] It's like finding an outfit, right?

[00:07:15] Yeah.

[00:07:16] You just grab anything. You want something that works for you, makes you feel good.

[00:07:20] Exactly. And once you've got that internship, be proactive.

[00:07:24] Okay.

[00:07:24] Don't wait for instructions. Take initiative. Ask questions. Look for ways to learn. Show them

[00:07:30] you're not just there to punch in and out.

[00:07:32] Right. Show them you're eager.

[00:07:34] Yes. And don't forget networking.

[00:07:37] Oh, right.

[00:07:38] Connect with people, go to events, soak it all in.

[00:07:41] Because you never know.

[00:07:42] Exactly. Building those relationships is key.

[00:07:44] Yeah.

[00:07:45] And lastly, an internship, it's about learning. It's a chance to try stuff, experiment, and

[00:07:51] yeah, even mess up sometimes.

[00:07:54] It's like a safe space to try things out.

[00:07:56] Exactly. The point is, see those as growth, not failures, you know?

[00:08:01] Embrace the learning curve.

[00:08:03] Yes.

[00:08:03] This has been so helpful.

[00:08:05] But before we wrap up, what about listeners thinking traditional internships, not for me

[00:08:11] right now, what would you say to them?

[00:08:13] I'm glad you asked that. The working world, it's changing so fast.

[00:08:17] Right.

[00:08:17] And internships are changing too. So if the traditional one isn't doable, don't give up.

[00:08:21] There are tons of ways to get experience, make connections.

[00:08:24] Like what? Tell us more.

[00:08:25] Well, freelance projects are great to get your foot in the door.

[00:08:28] Okay.

[00:08:28] You try different roles, learn skills, build your portfolio, all on your schedule.

[00:08:33] It's like choose your own adventure internship then.

[00:08:35] Exactly. You're in control. And then there's volunteering.

[00:08:38] Volunteering, yeah.

[00:08:39] Never underestimate that. Offering your skills for a cause you care about, you get experience,

[00:08:44] meet good people, and you show initiative, commitment.

[00:08:47] Plus it feels good to help out.

[00:08:48] It does. And it shows employers you're not just in it for yourself. You want to make a difference.

[00:08:53] So we've covered so much today, how employers benefit from interns, that it's not just for

[00:08:59] students and even other ways to gain experience. But before we go back to something we talked about,

[00:09:06] internships being a two-way street, I really believe that listeners take that to heart.

[00:09:10] It's so important. I wish more people got that. It's not just you learning from them.

[00:09:14] It's them learning from you too.

[00:09:15] Don't hold back.

[00:09:16] Exactly. Share your thoughts, ask, challenge things. You bring something new, experiences,

[00:09:23] a point of view. Companies want that. Don't be afraid to shine.

[00:09:26] Love it. So wrapping up our internship deep dive, what's the one thing you want listeners to remember?

[00:09:33] If I had to say just one thing, internships aren't just a step, they're an investment.

[00:09:37] Powerful.

[00:09:38] It's about taking charge of your career wherever you are, finding chances to grow,

[00:09:43] seeing challenges as lessons, and never forgetting what you're capable of.

[00:09:47] Beautifully put. There you have it, folks. Another deep dive done. We explored internships,

[00:09:53] all sides of them, the good stuff, the myths, and hopefully you feel ready to make smart choices for

[00:09:58] your career. Be proactive, be curious, be open to new things. That's what matters.

[00:10:01] And on that note, we'll leave you with this. Imagine your ideal internship. What skills would

[00:10:07] it give you? Who would you meet? What would you do? Dream big, be bold, make it happen.

[00:10:12] Until next time, happy diving.

[00:10:14] This has been From Dorms to Desks, job hunting tips for those early in their careers. A podcast brought

[00:10:22] to you by College Recruiter Job Search Site, which believes that every student and recent grad

[00:10:26] deserves a great career. Each episode, we dive into tips, tricks, and insights that will help you

[00:10:32] land your next part-time, seasonal, internship, or entry-level job. Subscribe to this podcast for free

[00:10:38] now so you don't miss an episode and visit www.collegerecruiter.com to find your next great job.

[00:10:45] Bye.