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As you make your way through your college career, something big on your to-do list is probably to land your first internship. It’s likely something you’ve heard friends, peers and professors talk about often.
But if you’re still early on in your college career or haven’t applied to any yet, you may find yourself wondering how internships work. As a Schneider intern and college student myself, here are five questions and answers to know before landing an internship.
1. How do internships work?
When considering a traditional office internship, you'll generally be looking at a three-month-long, full-time summer position between semesters.
That's not the only way to do it, though. Lots of companies today are embracing different forms and types of internships:
- Part-time options.
- Virtual opportunities.
- Options to continue your internship through the school year.
No matter the variation, your job as an intern will typically consist of:
- An introduction to the industry.
- A taste of work culture.
- Opportunities to be immersed in real business situations.
- The chance to network with and get to know other professionals.
2. Is an internship a job?
The short answer is, yes, an internship is a job. Internships are often considered entry-level positions within a company. That doesn’t make them any less valuable, though.
They are a great form of professional employment and a place to start gaining relevant work experience. Plus, many internships, like the ones Schneider offers, are paid.
The more seriously you take your internship the more useful it is for finding your professional interests and values.
3. What should I expect from an internship?
The expectations of an intern vary. What you do as an intern will depend on the type of internship you get and what company you work for.
I can assure you, however, that not all internships consist of clerical tasks or coffee runs. Most companies treat their interns like regular members of their teams.
The types of things I have participated in and contributed to as an intern include:
- Summer-long projects.
- Employee engagement activities.
- Professional development workshops.
- Networking events with other interns.
As an intern you will interact with real people, make real decisions and sometimes make mistakes. It’s here that you have the greatest chance to learn, grow and develop new insights into how a company and industry works.
