By Sam Graudins Getting a job straight out of college isn’t easy. How are you supposed to get a job to gain experience if all the jobs require experience? Get an internship! Getting on-the-job experience is a benefit no classroom can provide, and will set you apart from the rest. Here’s why internships are awesome. 1. Internships establish credibility You may be the most charismatic, intelligent, skilled person in your field, but that will not come across in an interview until you can put it on paper. Having your name associated with a credible company is vital to building a resume and will significantly improve your chances of getting hired for your first real job. 2. Networking leads to future job opportunities Even if the company you intern for isn’t the most impressive, the connections you make during an internship can help you find a job later on. Whether it’s the boss sitting at the head of the meeting table or the employers you brush elbows with, having an internship will connect you with many working professionals. As long as you make the effort to say hello, you’ll be certain to have a business connection leaving college that can help you land a job after graduation. 3. Explore the world Internships exist all over the world. With a little research, you might just land yourself in a place you’ve never been able to explore before — while also building your portfolio and potentially earning some cash! Internships are a great way to experience new locations without making big, long-lasting moves. Plus, if you end up loving it, you can move out there in the future and already have connections awaiting your arrival. 4. Internships can pay Unpaid internships are rampant, but there are also paid internship opportunities out there. Though they are hard to come by, and may seem like a fantasy, they do exist! Your school likely has a job board or career center with company connections that they would be more than happy to hook you up with. If getting paid isn’t an option, find out if you can intern for school credit. Though it’s not a monetary gain, school credit does count for something! 5. Unfulfilling internships are beneficial, too! The goal of college is to steer you toward your professional goals, and internships let you witness the real-life responsibilities of your profession before entering the workforce. So, if the internship of your dreams ends up being a complete nightmare, you’re lucky! Now you know what you don’t want to pursue after college, and what’s even better is you found out before you were stuck on that career path. You still have the time and resources in college to redirect your professional future. A college internship isn’t for everyone. It takes time and effort. But if you’re willing to put in the work now, you’ll have a much easier time finding a job later. Find an internship with our college job and internship search and get a kick-start on your career path. About the author Sam is a life blogger from Franklin, Massachusetts with a big heart and a bigger appetite for sweets. She loves Korean bakeries, Japanese animation, and providing you insight into her college experience. Sam is a second-year communication studies major at Emerson College with a minor in gender studies, and she’s over the moon about sharing tips on how to have a fully-custom college experience. “Standardization is a rejection of creativity. Do you and do it big!”