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Internships in the past decade have begun to replace entry-level positions. Individuals who have internship experience are more likely to get an interview than those without, according to an article published by Time Magazine in 2018.
Furthermore, internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable experience that expands beyond general education.

WHAT IS AN INTERNSHIP?

Each business adjusts its definition, but it is generally agreed that internships are a training position separated from standard employment. This idea stemmed from apprenticeships in the Middle Ages when a young person would pay to shadow a tradesman until they reached a point of self-sufficiency and could begin working on their own. Fast-forward to 2020 when modern internship programs benefit both students and businesses and are becoming more available. Brown University conducted a study concluding that the class of 2017 had over 62% of students graduating with one or more internships. Compare that to 50% from 2008 and only 17% from 1992. If you’re working toward a degree, career or both, searching for an internship is an investment in your education and career path.

WHY EXPERIENCE MATTERS.

“Experience is the most important thing. It’s just as useful as, if not greater than, the actual knowledge of what you’re learning,” said AJ Anderson, owner of Dream Company Motorcycle and Vintage, a small Des Moines business.

Anderson said that someone could know everything there is to know about screen printing, but the first time that person goes to screen print, there is always room for error. Experience far outweighs knowledge.

Sydney Lange, a candidate with a degree in education from Grand View University, said learning outside of classes has been a massive asset. Education majors hold mock lectures in class to practice lesson plans. Lange said that classmates can imitate settings, like a fourth-grade class for example, but when she student-led an actual class full of 25 kids, it was not the same at all.

“Outside experiences are extremely important because we need to understand how schools are now and understand the kids we will be teaching and how they act in class,” Lange said.

Experience is everything in the job field today. Nearly 65% of all employers will hire based on experience, according to a 2018 study by Georgetown University.

INTERNSHIP EXPECTATIONS & MYTHS.

“I’ve had internships since high school,” said Jori Mallinger, an Iowa State design major. “You learn how to communicate, how to work in groups, and when something needs done, you’re there to help out and make life easier.”

A large part of an internship is learning to be a team player. Rather than interning to fill a certain role, a good intern should fit whatever role is asked of them. If the garbage needs to be taken out, take it out. If a garment needs to be folded, you fold clothes.

“That’s all kind of extreme, but the point is you can’t be above one thing or another,” Anderson said.

There are several internship variants. If a student applies to a large business, then tasks may be more indirect and corporate. If a student applies to a small local business, their experience is likely to involve much more hands-on-learning; seeing the inner workings of the business and spending time with the owner, seeing an entirely different side to the business, like upkeep and management. Anderson compared interning at small businesses to teaching in smaller classrooms.

“In most cases that has been proven to be a better learning experience all around,” Anderson said.

It’s important to learn what an internship’s specific expectations may be before accepting. Rén Lang has studied abroad for multiple internship experiences.

“It isn’t always clear what you’re getting yourself into. Plenty of internships are great for experience, but some could end up being corporate-feeling desk-job horror stories — fetching coffee, running useless errands, pretending to be busy,” Lang said.

That generally isn’t the case, but knowing what experience a business can offer is vital to a tailored, educational experience.

HOW TO APPLY

We live in a world where email and texting dominate, and for this reason, face-to-face interaction can go a long way. Walking through the doors of a business and representing yourself in person will do more than writing an email or even a phone call.

“Just to walk into a place with confidence and look someone in the eye and say ‘I’d like to intern here and I’d love to learn what you’re teaching’ is huge right now,” Anderson said.

Naturally, one should put together a cover letter and resume. On-campus career centers offer free help putting these together.

There are many online application options. For example, Indeed, Glassdoor and even our Career Center here at GV constantly offer internship opportunities that most can apply for.

If face-to-face interaction isn’t possible, simply writing a professional email with an authentic representation of what skills or ambition you bring to the table, and what you’d hope to learn from a business can separate you from a standard college applicant.

Anderson said young adults seem to have a hard time doing what they say they’re going to do and being on time. The No. 1 thing to focus on when looking into internships is to not oversell yourself. Instead, under-promise and over-deliver. That mentality alongside a learner’s attitude will solidify success in all internship endeavors.