In college life or shortly after graduation, students generally undergo an internship in a concerned industry to their course of study to gain field experience. It is for this purpose that internships have become such a rite of passage to a career.
There are so many websites now that are established to provide a variety of internships to individuals who are ready to earn some credits towards their college work, get into the workplace, or are simply going to acquire some experience with the plan to transition into a new career or profession.
The recent internship program by the government is also aimed at offering 1.25 lakh internships across the top 500 firms to expose and equip fresh graduates with much-needed skills. The government program will fill the industry gap and academic in gaps and create more employment opportunities.
But a few myths regarding internships discourage individuals from applying for a worthwhile experience. Therefore, it's necessary to dust off those myths and throw some light upon them so that people can make use of an internship to the best of their abilities. Following are some of such myths you should be aware of so that they do not keep you away from gaining the skills and experience needed:
Myth 1: All internships are unpaid
It is an era gone by when the students would earn experience in seclusion without receiving a stipend during an internship with an organisation. These days, most companies do not just give stipends but also other allowances like free cinema tickets and shopping vouchers to ensure that the interns receive some money as a return on their talent and skill. Particularly in sectors such as technology, finance, health and marketing, there is a clear trend towards that since it is easier for companies to recruit high performers in a competitive business context, and even retain them for full-time job openings.
Myth 2: Internships are just for students
While internships are collectively promoted as a means of engaging college students, they are equally useful for career switchers or recent graduates. Generally, rather than accepting a first-level position with little scope for learning and focus on performance, people move in pursuit of an internship as a way of gaining the required expertise. Additionally, where a career shift is occurring, pivot internships become absolutely necessary in shaping a new career path.
The film "The Intern" is a perfect example of how there is no age limit when you are looking for an internship if you are willing to work and learn about your own abilities and new things.
Myth 3: Internships are all menial work
It surely is a prevalent myth that internships will leave you stuck behind your desk all day and running errands for your supervisor. In fact, organizations today look for intern who is superbly competent in one skill domain so they can deliver a lot to the success of a project. Possessing the much-sought technical, analytical, and communication skills is thus a game changer for anyone who wants to be employed as an intern at a respectable firm. Moreover, if you are able to prove your worth and deliver more than expected, then the employer might even offer you a permanent job.
Myth 4: Only corporate giants are worth interning at
Big corporations do have formal internship schemes but that does not stop you from getting a career in startups or small companies. Interns in small firms actually receive more visibility to tasks and responsibilities, which certainly works to their advantage in their budding careers. So rather than going ahead with a giant name in the industry, your aim should be to compromise on an organisation that aligns with your area of development and which can show you the needed skill set.
Myth 5: You should only apply for jobs with the same level as your degree
Yes, it is also highly helpful to look for internships that will be able to utilize your abilities and knowledge that you had acquired during your degree. But looking for opportunities in other industries is just as useful. Intershiping in other unrelated fields can provide you with additional skills, and this can make it easier for you to switch fields later if you want to. Apart from that, you can also gain transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that will be useful in most industries.
Most importantly, internships at different levels will also make you more sure of your future career aspirations. For example, if you want to be a writer but mistakenly received a good internship in marketing, then you can do so and learn even more things and check if your career in marketing could bring more progress.
