An internship is a work experience offered by an organization or company for a limited period and, usually, with no or little remuneration. They are temporary opportunities. Internships allow students to gain relevant skills in a particular field and get a sense of what is expected in that industry.
Although some internships are unpaid or partially paid, they offer intangible benefits to students. One must see these opportunities from the business concept of return on investment. To make decisions about investing, businesses calculate the ratio between net income and investment (costs). If the return on investment is high, the gains compare favorably to costs. In the case of internships, it is hard to measure the gains of costs because the results are not necessarily immediate.
Internships are Real-Life Experience
Internships offer real-life experience. While some courses taken at the university can emulate authentic learning opportunities, they do not compare to the chance to see professionals in action at the workplace. How do professionals act in a particular setting? How do they apply what they learned in college? How do they interact with each other? Internships can give you a real idea of what it entails to be a marketer, a manager, or a lawyer serving underrepresented communities.
Internships Strengthen Your Network
Internships can help the student to create a professional network leading to letters of recommendation or possible employment opportunities. If you do a good job, people will be more willing to recommend you. Along with letters of recommendation from your professors, you can provide a letter of recommendation by someone with the perspective of an employer. In addition, the company may offer you a position if there is a vacancy at the company. Do not expect this to happen, but do the work and act as if it already has happened. Employees who identify with the company are more likely to excel and be taken into consideration for promotions.
Internships Show Commitment to Work
Internships prove your willingness to be serious about getting a job. In a competitive market, you want to stand out and be considered for as many positions as possible. Keep in mind that you will be competing with other candidates for jobs. Imagine that two seniors from the same program at the same university apply to the same position. How do employers choose between them? Given that interviews are usually offered based on resumés, how can these candidates distinguish themselves from each other? While a lot of factors influence hiring, it is more likely that the candidate with an internship will be invited to an interview. Therefore, it is important to be strategic about your choices during your undergraduate studies.
Internships and Language
Internships are more common in careers in business, law, communications, marketing, or engineering. If you are doing a major in one of these careers and a minor in Spanish, consider applying to internships that allow you to use the language; i.e. the company provides services to Spanish-speakers or is located in an area with a high concentration of Hispanic or Latino communities.
If you are doing a major in Spanish only, consider getting an internship in translation and interpretation. Most companies value someone who can interact with Spanish-speaking customers or translate information about the company, such as brochures, websites, or flyers. Particularly, journals and newspapers have an increasing interest in reaching broader audiences. Do not get intimidated by labels such as marketing, business development, or manufacturing. More often than not, companies are more interested in a student with the ability to communicate in Spanish than in a student with the knowledge area supported by the enterprise.
Caution with Some Language Programs
Be careful about programs that promote language courses as internships. These promotions can be very attractive for students interested in living in a Spanish-speaking country. However, they are not necessarily legitimate. To discern between a language course and an internship, read the information carefully. Consider contacting the organizers and asking them to provide specific information: who, what, when, where, and why. If they cannot answer these questions, ask yourself if you are willing to embark on an adventure of uncertainty.
Other Opportunities
Finally, consider opportunities to volunteer. Although most recruiters make a distinction between internships and volunteering, these endeavors show your engagement with a company or community. Some Spanish departments have study abroad programs designed for community engagement or experiential learning, such as building houses in impoverished areas or teaching children in rural settings. Participating in these opportunities can look good in your résumé. More importantly, it allows you to have a positive impact and develop a mindset of giving back to others.