by Does internship count as work experience? As the war for white-collar jobs intensifies, this question can no longer be ignored by students and recent graduates who seek to bolster their resumes.
Learning how much internships contribute to our own skills and perceptions of us in the eyes of employers becomes a key part of developing a successful career.
This article intends to unlock and reveal different aspects of internships by exploring its roles and purposes in professional development specifically.
What is an internship?
An internship is a job that an organization provides to someone who is in school or just graduated as a means of allowing the student to directly experience a particular industry or field.
Internships are temporary jobs that can take anywhere from just a few weeks to several months to complete; they may also be paid or unpaid.
As part of an internship, you would work on projects, help with tasks, and gain relevant experience that complements the learning you have already obtained.
What counts as an internship?
| Types of Internship | Description |
|---|---|
| Paid. | Interns receive monetary compensation for their work, providing them with financial support during the internship. |
| Unpaid. | Students do not receive payment; these opportunities focus on gaining experience and skills rather than financial compensation. |
| Academic. | Opportunity that are part of a degree program, offering academic credit in addition to practical experience. |
| Summer. | Typically last for a few months during summer, designed for students to gain experience while on break from school. |
| Part-time. | Possibility that allow individuals to work fewer hours, accommodating students’ class schedules or other commitments. |
| Full-time. | Internships requiring a full-time commitment, usually demanding 30-40 hours per week, often over a specified period. |
| Virtual/Remote. | Work conducted online, allowing interns to work from anywhere, giving flexibility and access to opportunities across geographic boundaries. |
| Co-op. | Cooperative education programs that combine classroom learning with practical experience, alternating between study and work periods. |
| Government. | Internships offered by government agencies, providing insight into public service and policy-making processes. |
| Non-profit. | Volunteering within non-profit organizations, focusing on community service and social impact, offering unique experiences in various sectors. |
Does internship count as work experience?
Yes, internships generally count as work experience, but how they are perceived may vary depending on the context and the specific employer. Here are a few key factors to consider:
1. Skill development
Interns often develop practical skills on the job, which provides a valuable experience. Common abilities that people learn from their intern experience are how to work on a project, interact with clients or follow a disciplined process using certain tools.
Internships can provide with the opportunity to actualize theoretical knowledge into tangible tasks, leading to the development of technical-industry-specific skills. For instance, while an engineering intern might learn to use a specific piece of software; a marketing student could learn how to use programs for analytics or a content management system.
Working in teams and unpredictable situations, interns study to be flexible and adaptable, changing strategies in the face of new demands, opportunities and problems. This produces workers who are more comfortable with new settings.
2. Industry exposure
Internships drop the would-be professional into a day-to-day setting where they can experience the rhythms, ethos and pressures of a role. Interns can see how a team works together, what sorts of decisions are made and when, and how fast duties get done.
Such internship experience might offer a broad understanding of the various positions found in an organization. A marketing intern, for instance, could be shown how content creation fits within a company, from the data that analysts gather, the strategy developed by the leadership team, and how different areas ultimately collaborate to launch campaigns.
Exposure to industry helps in bridging the gap between the abstract classroom learning and the expectations from the professional world. It provides him with a practical sense of the sphere’s demands and, at the same time, enhances his confidence levels .
3. Resume value
For someone who hasn’t had many jobs, an internship is a chance to highlight your specialization. Showing that you’ve undertaken an internship, by shifting from being a student to practicing your profession, shows that you’re taking the initiative to build your career. And that you want to learn and contribute to an industry outside of formal employment.
If you’re between jobs, or moving from a life of study to a life of work, internships can fill gaps that would otherwise show up on a resume (and how many of us are really lucky enough to be fully employed from 15 to the age of 22?).
A continuous resume is far more favorable in the eyes of employers because it shows you were actively doing something rather than being lazy.
How to put internship on resume?
- If you have had multiple internships, you might want to create a separate section. Or, if these are your most important work experiences to date, you might include them under "Professional Experience".
- Treat your internship work experience as any formal job listing. Include: Job title; Company name; Location; Dates of employment.
- Add a brief description of your key responsibilities, accomplishments, and the skills you developed.
- Describe your contributions using active language like "developed," "managed," "collaborated," or "designed."
- If possible, when listing an internship on your resume, quantify how many you worked with and how you made a difference.
Example:
Software Engineering Intern
Google LLC, Mountain View, CA
June – August 2023
- Developed and optimized features for a large-scale internal tool, improving processing speed by 25%.
- Collaborated with a team of engineers to design and implement new functionalities for Google Cloud Services, contributing to the enhancement of user interface efficiency.
- Conducted reviews and debugging sessions, reducing software bugs by 15% and ensuring high code quality standards.
- Participated in Agile development sprints, working closely with cross-functional teams to meet project deadlines.
Skills Developed: Java, Python, API Integration, Agile Methodology, Code Optimization, Debugging
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Internship vs. full-time work
| Aspect | Internship | Full-Time Work |
|---|---|---|
| Duration. | Temporary, typically lasts a few months. | Permanent or long-term employment, often without a predetermined end date. |
| Work Hours. | May be part or full-time, often flexible to accommodate academic schedules. | Generally full-time with a consistent work schedule. |
| Compensation. | Can be paid or unpaid, depending on the company or industry. | Paid position with a regular salary, benefits, and sometimes bonuses. |
| Level of Responsibility. | Often entry-level tasks, with guidance from supervisors. | Greater responsibility, often includes independent decision-making and accountability. |
| Job Security. | Temporary with no guarantee of permanent employment afterward. | Provides stable employment with greater job security. |
| Evaluation. | Often evaluated on learning progress and ability to contribute to smaller projects. | Performance is reviewed based on contribution to the company's success and meeting long-term goals. |
Internship experience examples
Marketing Internship Sample
Marketing Intern
Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta, GA
May – August 2023
- Assisted in developing and executing digital marketing campaigns, leading to a 20% increase in online engagement.
- Created content for social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, resulting in a 15% growth in followers.
- Conducted market research to identify customer trends, contributing insights that helped inform the launch of a new beverage line.
- Collaborated with the creative team on promotional materials and email marketing campaigns, improving campaign conversion rates by 10%.
Skills Developed: Social Media Marketing, Content Creation, Market Research, Digital Advertising, Google Analytics
Finance Intern Example
Finance Intern
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., New York, NY
June – August 2023
- Assisted in analyzing financial statements and preparing reports for senior management, contributing to investment strategies.
- Conducted due diligence and financial modeling for potential mergers and acquisitions, aiding in the evaluation of investment opportunities.
- Assisted with portfolio analysis and risk assessment, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- Attended client meetings, gaining exposure to asset management and corporate finance strategies.
Skills Developed: Financial Analysis, Excel, Modeling, Risk Assessment, Investment Research
Software Engineering Internship Sample
Software Engineering Intern
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA
May – August 2023
- Developed and tested new features for Azure cloud services, improving platform efficiency by 18%.
- Collaborated with a cross-functional team to implement microservices architecture, enhancing system scalability.
- Debugged and optimized code to improve user experience, reducing software errors by 10%.
- Participated in code reviews and Agile sprints, contributing to a highly collaborative software development environment.
Skills Developed: Java, C#, API Development, Microservices Architecture, Agile Methodology, Code Debugging
Human Resources Intern Example
Human Resources Intern
PepsiCo, Purchase, NY
June – August 2023
- Assisted with the recruitment process, including screening resumes, scheduling interviews, and conducting initial candidate assessments.
- Participated in onboarding new employees, helping with orientation and benefits enrollment.
- Supported the HR team in planning and organizing employee engagement activities and training programs.
- Conducted exit interviews and compiled reports on employee turnover and retention trends for management review.
Skills Developed: Recruitment, Interviewing, Employee Onboarding, Data Reporting, Talent Management
Graphic Design Internship Sample
Graphic Design Intern
Nike, Inc., Beaverton, OR
June – August 2023
- Designed graphics and promotional materials for upcoming product launches, leading to a 25% increase in online engagement.
- Collaborated with the creative team to design digital and print assets for social media campaigns, advertisements, and in-store displays.
- Assisted in updating and maintaining brand guidelines, ensuring consistency across all platforms.
- Produced mockups and prototypes for design concepts, which were later adopted by the marketing department for global campaigns.
Skills Developed: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Brand, UX/UI Design, Typography, Visual Communication
Healthcare Intern Example
Healthcare Administration Intern
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
May – August 2023
- Assisted in managing patient intake and scheduling, improving operational efficiency by 15%.
- Conducted research on healthcare policies and trends, presenting findings to senior administrators to support decision-making.
- Collaborated with the finance department to track departmental budgets and expenditures.
- Participated in an initiative aimed at reducing patient wait times, contributing to a 10% improvement in satisfaction.
Skills Developed: Healthcare Management, Patient Scheduling, Policy Research, Data Analysis, Budget Management
Legal Internship Sample
Legal Intern
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, NY
June – August 2023
- Conducted legal research on corporate law and regulatory compliance, contributing to case preparations and client advisories.
- Assisted attorneys in drafting contracts, memoranda, and other legal documents.
- Reviewed case files and conducted due diligence for mergers and acquisitions cases.
- Attended client meetings and court proceedings, gaining insight into litigation strategies and corporate law practices.
Skills Developed: Legal Research, Contract Drafting, Case Analysis, Regulatory Compliance, Corporate Law
Journalism Intern Example
Journalism Intern
The New York Times, NY
May – August 2023
- Researched and wrote articles for both the online and print editions, covering local news and cultural events.
- Conducted interviews with community leaders and experts, contributing to feature stories on emerging social issues.
- Assisted with fact-checking and editing, ensuring the accuracy and quality of content before publication.
- Collaborated with senior editors to pitch story ideas and develop content for special features.
Skills Developed: Reporting, Research, Interviewing, Writing, Fact-Checking, Content Editing
Is internship considered as work experience - Conclusion
To put it simply, internships are valid work experience.
For recent graduates who are eager to land their first jobs in society, internships can be tremendously helpful. They do not provide the same responsibilities that full-time jobs do, and they don't always last as long.
However, the experience is an important stepping stone in establishing one's professional credentials. Especially for a young individual who is aspiring for a full-time job.
If utilized correctly in one's resume, workplace internships will signal initiative, relevant practical knowledge and readiness for full-time job. In essence, internship experience is a gateway to career success.
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