Why Internships Matter

Internships are a critical experience for a student to have. Your child can sample career options by completing internships and experimenting with summer employment opportunities or volunteer work.

• Employers are interested in communication, problem-solving, and administrative skills, which can be developed through internships.
• Employers look for experience on a student’s resume and often hire from within their own internship programs.
• Having a high GPA is not enough.
• A strong letter of recommendation from an internship supervisor may tip the scale of an important interview in their favor.

The University and the Office of Career & Professional Development will not “place” your child in a job at graduation. Colleges grant degrees, but not job guarantees, so having relevant experience in this competitive job market is critical, and 80% of employers share that they expect students to have internships.

So what can you do as a parent?

Encourage internships as much as you can with your student. Talk to them about their interests, and encourage them to try something out where they can gain experience, learn more, build connections, and they will be surprised at how impactful the experience can be! The Office of Career & Professional Development can help them look for opportunities, and our Annual Job & Internship Fair is a great event to check out to begin making connections and learning about internship opportunities.