Don’t just say yes
An internship can be a very helpful step in establishing a career choice and progression. It is important to do your homework before accepting any internship. There are questions that need to dealt with and considerations that need to be met.CompensationThere are both paid and unpaid internships. It is important to know if you can afford to participate in an unpaid internship. There may be other forms of compensation other than a paycheck that can help balance the equation. The company may have a cafeteria that is free for employees. A mass transit pass may be issued to go to and from work.There are internships that have part time hours available for interns on their off hours. There may be other part time jobs available to help cover expenses.There are times when the experience far outweighs the loss of wages for a short period of time.Making connectionsNetworking can be a very beneficial part of an internship. It is imperative to know what networking opportunities will be involved. Will the entire internship be behind the scenes or will you be given both credit and exposure for your hard work?MentorshipAs an intern you should not only have a supervisor, but a mentor. The person can be the same, the difference is the time and teaching opportunities. The supervisor should have enough time to fully answer questions and recommend best practices. An internships is supposed to be a guided learning experience.Employment opportunitiesThere are times when the entire goal of taking a specific internship is that you want to work, not only in this industry, but with this company. If landing a job with this company is part of the goal you need to know upfront if that is a possibility. It could make or break the decision to go with this particular internship.Referencesand letters of recommendationIt could be the most valuable result of an internship: letters of recommendation and references. Not all companies allow these types of documents to be issued. Make sure you have the details before accepting the position as an intern.LocationWhere you work makes a big difference. Does it require a move? Do you have transportation to and from work? Is the area safe for walking?Internships can be very productive and beneficial. It is important to ask the right questions to make sure the internship meets your goals and requirements.
