IT internships can be incredibly worthwhile, but not everyone will have the same experience. Whilst a lot of people out there have found great jobs from undertaking IT internships, there are quite a few people who feel like they had a less positive experience. Additionally, the nature of IT internships is changing, so how do you determine if it’s the right option for you? Read on below for all our best tips and information.
The value of IT internships
Overall, most people come away pretty happy with their experience of IT internships. It’s considered an important part of the gain experience and a lot of universities will require that work experience is undertaken to complete a course. A lot of people come away feeling that the work experience that they gained at university when undertaking IT internships is extremely valuable. Most people come away from it feeling like it boosted their career prospects and helped them do better in their chosen field. Even students who don’t take part are generally aware of the potential value of the experience. Unfortunately, many students feel it is not accessible to them due to the proliferation of unpaid opportunities. Whilst unpaid work can be quite prestigious and can offer great opportunities for people to get relevant experience in their field, it can be quite limiting for those that can’t afford to work for free.
Hands-on work experience
One of the most important things to note about IT internships is that they involved a lot more than just fetching coffee. Many people who undertake internships say that they love it because it gives them the opportunity to get proper hands-on experience in their chosen field. Undertaking work experience can help people get their foot in the door when it comes time to find a full-time job. Many employers will look favourably upon those who have gained work experience and many job applicants will find that lack of work experience is a big barrier to getting a job in the early years of their career. It’s also worth noting that many of the people who undertake IT internships will end up staying in the field for the remainder of their lives. Those who don’t undertake work experience are generally more likely to switch careers later.
Launching your career
One of the reasons that many people will consider work experience is because they can help people to launch their careers. Most people find that formal work experience cuts down the amount of time it takes to get a job after graduation. Having work experience under your belt could mean that you find a job many months earlier than you might otherwise after graduation. A lot of people also say that they feel like their work experience prior to graduation helped them to feel prepared for the workplace and often meant that they were ready to perform better once they hit the workforce. Many people who have undertaken work experience think that it’s the best way they could have spent their time, with very few feeling study or a part-time job would have been a better option.
How employers view them
A lot of employers love interns because it means that they have the opportunity to quickly and easily introduce new talent to their business. It can be a great way for employers to meet and train up new entry-level staff and often cheaper than hiring graduates. Many employers also look very favorably on people who have conducted work experience as it shows a genuine interest and passion in the field and a willingness to learn.
