The Power of Internships: How Interns and Companies Can Thrive Together

When you think of internships, the stereotype of doing grunt work like running to get coffee or scanning documents may come to mind. In reality, internships have a number of valuable benefits for both interns and employers.

Internships provide hands-on experience and insider knowledge of the workforce. Additionally, hiring interns gives employers the opportunity to assess future talent within their organization by analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, and skills of an individual.

Let’s break down the many benefits of internships from the perspective of interns and employers.

Benefits of Interning

Skill Development

Internships allow you to gain experience when you have no experience. Before entering the workforce, it is important to identify your interests and assess your skillset. According to a 2022 study conducted by Amazon and Workplace Intelligence involving 3,000 people, 70% of individuals did not feel prepared for the future of work. During an internship, interns develop important skills such as communication, time management, teamwork, and problem-solving. This experience not only helps you learn and strengthen your skills but also guides you toward a successful career path.

Networking

Internships create opportunities to meet new people and grow your network, which can help your future career endeavors. By interning, you can connect with highly experienced professionals who are the best at what they do. These relationships can lead to mentorships, job referrals, or opportunities that you never would have had. Never underestimate what a simple introduction can lead to.

Career Goals

You aren’t alone if you don’t know what career path you want to take. Internships offer a glimpse of the day-to-day responsibilities of a specific role or industry. This allows you to clarify your career goals, identify areas of interest, and make decisions about a future career path. You can find out what you like or don’t like without having to commit to a specific role. Internships don’t last forever. If you don’t like what you are doing, you can easily move on to another opportunity. Even if you didn’t like a particular internship, you still left with experience and a better idea of what to look for in your next internship or job.

Confidence

Use an internship as a reason to get out of your comfort zone. Joining the workforce can be intimidating, but internships provide a safe environment for interns to gain confidence and get familiar with their chosen field. Achieving goals and overcoming challenges can give you a sense of self accomplishment which boosts confidence. Every task or project you complete reinforces your belief in your skill and potential.

Benefits of Hiring Interns

Recruitment

Internships are a great way for employers to find potential future employees. Throughout an internship, employers can evaluate an intern’s skills and work ethic over an extended period. This allows employers to reduce recruitment costs and ensures a seamless transition into the workforce. A study done by the National Association of Colleges and Employers revealed that 70% of interns are hired at the same company they interned with. Even if an intern doesn’t fit within a company, it strengthens an employer’s reputation as an employer of choice for talented individuals.

Training

Internships are a great way to offer hands-on experience to individuals looking to gain experience in your field. Training interns prepares them for future roles within your company and equips them with knowledge and skills that are needed to be successful in their role. Hands-on experience gives interns insight into how concepts are implemented in real workplace scenarios.

Innovation

Internships can produce new and innovative ideas from the perspectives of those willing to learn. An intern’s fresh outlook can spark creativity and innovation, making interns valuable assets for implementing new processes or improving existing systems. With the workforce evolving every day, bringing in younger generations can give you a competitive edge.

Leadership

Internships create an environment for experienced employees to become mentors and hone their leadership skills. Mentors guide interns with their day-to-day tasks and offer valuable career advice. Internships are a great way to assess and build leadership skills within your existing workforce.

Ultimately, internships can be mutually beneficial, providing valuable experiences and opportunities for both interns and employers. By investing in internships, companies can cultivate future talent while interns gain essential skills and insights that pave the way for successful careers.