Internship Success

An internship and co-ops is often considered to be nirvana for the college student seeking work experience. The original "co-op" idea--combining classroom study with practical work experience--has evolved into a universally accepted program for gaining work experience. The experience gained in an internship/co-op has become the key differentiator for many new college grads. Make no mistake--a successful internship can be your ticket to locking down a job offer (or several job offers) early in your final year. But it can come at a price.

Most schools offer classroom credit for formal internships taken during the school year. But it is usually only six to nine credit hours, not the standard fifteen-plus that most students require per semester to graduate on a "normal" schedule. In addition to standard work hours, you may be required to write formal term papers to report on your internship/co-op experience. The net effect of the lower credits earned while school is in session may require many interns to go an extra semester or through a summer session to make up for the lost credit hours.

Another adaptation of the "internship" term is to refer to summer employment as an "internship." This experience in the field also plays well in your job search, although you should not be concerned with finding work that is specifically listed as an internship. If you ask an employer if they offer summer internships, the answer will often be "No." However, if you ask the employer if they offer summer jobs in your field, the answer may be "Yes." Why the difference? Because most employers consider internships to be formal training programs in preparation for real work, while summer jobs are simply doing the real work. Which would you rather do? The real work is always the best experience.

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