College Internships 101: A Professor’s Best Advice

The internships I completed as an undergrad and grad student were life-changing. The knowledge and skills have set me up for success in my career and helped boost my confidence.

Some days, I feel like I owe my entire career to my internships.

As a college professor, I see my students apply for internships every school year. Some college programs require internships. Even when they don’t, professors often heavily recommend them to every college student.

If you’re thinking about getting an internship or if you have one and want to make the best of it, here’s some of the best advice I’ve learned throughout the years.

1. Learn And Experience As Much As You Can

Internships are more than just entries you can use to boost your resume. They are chances to develop skills you may not have the opportunity to learn in your regular college curriculum. They’re also places where you can experience what it is like to be in your career field.

I know it can be scary to admit you do not know how to do something, but the point of an internship is not to go in knowing it all. The goal is to leave with more knowledge, experience, confidence, and connections than you started. Don’t be afraid to ask questions to those you are working with. Don’t be afraid to ask to learn a skill outside your comfort zone. Attend any extra educational sessions your internship might be offering you. You are there to learn. Learning requires trial and error — that’s the only way to grow.

During one of my undergraduate internships, I asked to learn about a department I wasn’t necessarily directly working with. They agreed to let me shadow an employee, who told me I was the first intern to be interested in their department. Not only was I able to learn something new, but I also helped myself stand out positively to my employer. An internship can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so make sure to soak up as much as you can while there. Be as fearless, curious, and eager to learn as possible.

You will be amazed at what you come away with.

2. If You Aren’t Getting Paid To Intern, Try To Get Course Credit 

In a world where everything is getting more expensive by the second, doing any type of work for free isn’t ideal and often unfeasible. Though internships are an amazing learning and networking opportunity, you should not have to suffer or sacrifice immensely to do them.

I’ve had internships that paid me minimum wage, $5 a day to work for 8 hours, and those that did not pay me at all but covered a significant chunk of my college course credits. No internship is worth you not having enough money to eat or pay rent. So please make sure the work you are doing is being compensated fairly. I had a semester-long internship covering 12 credit hours of courses during undergrad. That was a strong enough benefit for me to agree to do it without being paid. I was able to live at home and commute to the internship, so living expenses didn’t have to be factored into it. For an out-of-state internship that did not offer housing, I was paid enough to cover my living and commuting expenses.

There should always be a balance.

3. Don’t Be Afraid To Speak Up

Just because you are an intern doesn’t mean people are allowed to mistreat you. Every employee should be treated with equal respect, regardless of their level in the company. Don’t feel like you can’t tell someone if something is wrong. Being an intern doesn’t mean people can exploit you or take advantage of you in any way. Speaking up against someone mistreating you or making you uncomfortable will not jeopardize your career. If you speak up and your internship is unhappy with you for doing so, that is not a company you want to work for.

Workplace abuse should never be tolerated. You deserve to be just as comfortable as any other employee. If something feels wrong, always speak up.

You are doing the right thing.

4. Dream Big And Don’t Be Afraid Of Rejection

If you don’t apply to the internship, you’ll never know if you could have gotten it. I applied to my dream internship during undergrad and was certain I would never get it. Yet, I got it. I never thought I would have the chance to work where I did, and I’m grateful I convinced myself to apply. If there is somewhere you have always dreamed of working, apply there. Believe in yourself enough to let yourself try for the things you want. There’s no reason you aren’t any more capable or worthy than anyone else. Go for what you are passionate about and don’t let self-doubt hold you back.

And remember it’s not the end of the world or your career if you don’t get the internship. You tried. Plus, knowing you have the courage and the confidence to apply for something that stirs your heart is more important than you might think. Rejection is a part of life. All it means is that the internship was not meant for you. And now the door will be open for the perfect opportunity to come your way.

The best advice I can give any college student regarding internships and their careers is to never give up. You will one day have the career and the life you’ve dreamt of.