We are in college to obtain the education necessary for a good job. However, a university degree doesn’t necessarily train a person for a career.
When I first started college, I was under the impression that the major I chose would prepare me for the challenges and work circumstances in my career.
Now, I realize that although college classes provide vital information and a great background of knowledge, I still have no idea what I will be doing once I graduate with a bachelor’s degree. I am plagued with questions such as: “What can I do with this degree?” “How can I apply what I’ve studied for the past years?” and “What if I choose a career, and then discover that I despise the work?”
Classroom lectures can be interesting and useful, but sometimes the most beneficial part of learning is being able to gain knowledge without having to buy a textbook and sit in class. Participating in an internship is perhaps more valuable than a degree.
Internships offer important perspective on the day-to-day routine of a workplace, an insight sitting in a classroom does not provide. Besides exposure to the work environment, you are also able to find out more about the career path you’d like to pursue from professionals who might have gone the same course. This work will give you an idea of what could await you once your years in school are over.
“Internships are best for students looking for hands-on experience outside of the classroom along with possible networking for the future,” said Amy Code, the political programs coordinator for legislative and local internships at the Hinckley Institute of Politics.
The Hinckley Institute offers various internship programs and opportunities, from working locally at our Utah State Legislature to learning the ropes at political metropolises such as sunny Melbourne, Australia, the deserts of Ethiopia or exotic Taipei, Taiwan.
An especially popular and exciting area for an internship is our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Internships in international locations are highly competitive and sought after as well. Programs through the U are available in 27 countries.
Although some students might be deterred from completing an internship during college due to the extra expenses involved in a trip across the country or overseas, the small investment will pay for itself many times over when your marketability and experience help you to find the ideal job after graduation. The contacts you meet could be of assistance to get you where you’d like to be in your career.
The fear of the unknown, culture shock or differences in environment might hold students back from having new experiences in internships overseas, however.
Molly Jones, a political science major and former Bolivia intern, said that students should research about the country and language before leaving.
“This will help with the culture shock and make the stay more enjoyable,” she said.
Students express that their experiences as interns are life-changing and the highlight of their college career. Opportunities to discover the world outside of Utah are just at our fingertips. We merely need to reach for these chances while they are readily available to us.
As every education major has to spend time in student teaching, and every medical student has to work a year in residency, real skills are acquired and refined when actually put to use in a work situation. Studying and preparing for tests isn’t necessarily enough to build a strong résumé to land that first job. It’s actively participating in the work and learning from professionals that will tip the scale in our direction.
Some departments at the U, such as the art department, set an excellent example by requiring students to engage in internships. Completing an internship before graduation, if not required, should be more valued in other programs than it is today. This training would not only make our education well-rounded, but actually prepare students for future careers.