Internships give students an edge

  By Anita Yoder, director of career services

“Will my student be able to find a job after graduation?” Because of the current competitive job market, this question is on the minds of many parents. Goshen’s rigorous academic curriculum, one-on-one guidance from faculty and strong internship programs ensure that our graduates are well prepared for whatever challenges they choose to undertake.
 

Internships are not just for business students. Every student at Goshen College is encouraged to complete at least one internship. Why are internships so important? Because there is no substitute for practical work experience. High grades, good communication skills and some part-time work experience are no longer enough. Students with career-related work experience are the students who are getting the best interviews and job offers.

Internships allow students to:

• Test drive their career decision with on-the-job learning, providing perspective on their chosen career path.
• Enhance their academic learning with first-hand experience on the issues and trends in their field.
• Gain opportunities to develop professional relationships and mentors, making valuable contacts that could lead to permanent employment.
• Gain a distinct advantage over others entering the job market; employers expect students to have this experience when coming out of college.
• Increase their confidence and strengthen their résumé with proven experience in the field.

How can parents help? Encourage your student to:

• Determine what they want from an internship experience - specific skills and knowledge? Contacts? Exposure to an industry or company? General work experiences?
• Refine their job/internship search tools, including a résumé, interviewing skills and networking.
• Talk with other students in their discipline who have completed an internship and consult with their academic advisor or Career Services.
• Research internship opportunities on the web, including GC’s online job and internship bank at www.goshen.edu/jobs.
• Start looking early – at least a semester before they want to begin working.

Can your organization host an intern or speak to students regarding specific careers? We’d love to talk with you further about these possibilities. Contact Anita Yoder, director of career services, at (574) 535-7714 or email .