The Importance of Internships

Finding a job can be difficult, especially if you do not have work experience.  Landing an internship is a great way for college students, recent graduates or anyone considering a career change to gain valuable work experience.

An internship is an opportunity for students to work in the field that interest them, to valuable work experience and first-hand knowledge of the working work.  Anyone who had tried to look for employment will tell you how difficult and nearly impossible it is to get hire or for employers to even look at you resume if you do not have some sort of work experience.

Employers overwhelming point to internship experience as one the most important factors they consider in hiring new college graduates for full-time positions.  According to the National Association of College and Employers’ 2018 Internship and Co-op Survey Report, the average job offer rate to interns is 50% (with a 77.3% acceptance rate), and employers expected to increase the hiring of interns by 1.7% in 2018. However, intern wages are up.  The average rate is $18.73, which is 67 cents more (3.7%) from last year’s rate.

Here are valuable benefits to completing an internship program while you are in college.

• Gain valuable experience – getting real-work experience under your belt to develop a resume is crucial.  After all, perspective employers want to see that you bring a good set of professional skills to the table.
• Explore a career path – an internship is a great way for college students to explore or get familiar with a particular field that interest them while in college.  This allows a student to work in their chosen field and to help them decide if it is right for them.
• Having an edge in the market – students who already have some work experience when they graduate, through internships stand out to employers.  This is one of the most important benefits of students completing internships.
• Develop and refine skills – a great way to learn about your strengths and weaknesses is during an internship.  Internships allow you to get feedback from supervisors and others who are experienced in the field, and offer a unique learning opportunity that you may not receive otherwise.  An internship allows you the opportunity to make mistakes, as questions, observe, and take risks to get the most out of you internship training experience.
• Financial compensation - many internships are paid, but many are unpaid as well.  Nevertheless, an internship paid or unpaid is a valuable way to get experience.  In some instances, students can gain credits from the experience.  A paid internship is a great way to earn money to pay for school.

President Barack Obama joins the 2014 White House Fall Interns for a group photo in the East Room of the White House. December 11, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)

• Networking – An internship is a great way to meet professionals in the industry.  It is more than just about getting a paycheck, earning credits, or getting grades.  An internship provides opportunities to learn from the people around you.  The professionals you encounter during your internship can be your future colleagues or the connection to your first job.
• Confidence – internships allow students to build confidence by applying the techniques they learn in the classroom before entering the workforce.

• Transition to a job – many companies us internships as a way to build future talent pipeline.  It is a way for companies to test out an employee before hiring them.  Once you have learned the job in a professional setting, you will learn how to relax more in an office or other settings and focus more at excelling at the work.

Any student who has tried to look for employment will tell you how difficult and how impossible it is to be hired or for employers to look at your resume if you have not had an internship.  Therefore, internships are important because it provides real life experience and exposure to students.  Interning in ones desired field of study will give a student practical experience of what it would be like to work in that field.  In school, students mostly taught the theory side of things and an internship provides real experience.

~Angela King

Balancing Work and Your Personal Life

Do you ever find yourself struggling to keep a balance between work and personal life?

There may be times in our life where it becomes difficult to balance our work life and our personal life due to the demands of our jobs and what is expected of us. However, to keep our mental health intact and healthy, it is important that we learn and exercise efficient ways to keep our sanity while balancing both work and personal life demands. 

• Make sure to spend time with family and friends even as hard as it may be fitting it into your busy schedule – This allows you to get your mind off of things that may be troubling and can give you a break by simply enjoying the company around you.
• Schedule a vacation or getaway for yourself – It’s always nice to have something to look forward to and keep you going through daily life chores

• Practice yoga – This can make you healthier in body, mind and spirit
• Start journaling – Keeping a journal and simply writing, is cathartic for some because it can help you feel better when you later go back and read about the good experiences or days in your life 
• Cultivate a hobby which gives you joy and allows you to find an escape from reality
• Exercise – improves overall health
• Make sure you sleep on time – Have a similar morning routine each day so it’s easier to leave the house daily and being well rested can make a big difference when performing daily tasks
• Maintain a professional work relationship with coworkers – Being in a comfortable/friendly work environment makes you actually want to go to work on a daily basis and you find it more rewarding
• Fulfill the requirements of your job and follow through with meetings and session/workshops to enhance your skills

~Hena Saleem

Dress for Success: Winter Wear for Work

Winter is in full affect and for some this could bring about the “bulky-wear blues”, or confusion about how to dress for work. However, blistery days do not mean that dressing for work needs to be a chore. Here are some tips for both men and women on how to dress for the office during the winter.

WOMEN

Ladies, just because its winter it doesn’t mean you can’t play around with colors and patterns when it comes to your work wear. This is a good time to try a new pantsuit in a bold color or a new chunky sweater.

Layer a turtleneck underneath your pantsuit to keep warm both in and out of the office. Pair a chunky sweater with a sleek pencil skirt, straight leg slacks, or faux leather pants.

Another good tip is to always have the classic essential pieces ready in your closet. For example, look for a white button-down shirt that feels unique, but still acts as a key piece to any look.

Keep handy a classic black sweater or a black longline blazer to pair with just about anything in your wardrobe. If you’re still looking to add more color to your winter wardrobe, try a bright red statement coat that will look good layered over all your cold weather looks.

If footwear is on your mind and you are wondering about office approved waterproof boots, click on this link to check out some styles that might be good for you:  https://spy.com/2018/style/womens-style/best-waterproof-office-shoes-boots-rain-66915/

MEN

Winter clothing for men can be just as simple put together as it is for women. When it comes to men’s clothing you want to make sure you don’t cross the thin line between streetwear and appropriate office wear. Layering pieces work just as good for men as they do for women. For example, put together a heavy layering sweater with a collared shirt or a turtleneck.

Pair this with cotton slacks or corduroy pants, and oxford shoes or chukka boots.

If you are working in a very business formal office, buying suits in heavier materials will help you keep warm during the winter months while still dressing the part. These would be suits made of materials like corduroy, tweed, and wool. And if you have to battle the snow, invest in a heavy parka jacket and stylish snow boots.

These can be very helpful addition for days like this while still looking appropriate for work.

When dressing for work in the winter, you want to make sure you are both warm and comfortable. Here are some final tips:

• Choose winter appropriate fabrics, i.e. wool, heavy cotton, tweed, corduroy
• Layer your clothing; start with a dress shirt, follow up with a vest, then a sweater
• Don’t forget your accessories; hats, scarves, and gloves
• Wear the right footwear to ensure that your feet stay warm and your shoes are office friendly
• When in doubt always check with your supervisor on what the rules are regarding clothing in the winter

 

~Shamika Weekes