By: Claire Sadler
Internships are notorious for giving students the chance to relate their information to real world atmospheres. This makes individuals capable of 
developing skills which will help them enhance their performance in the workforce.
Many students don’t realize how important it is to plan for their future until that day is staring them in the face. It is very important to plan for life after college, especially in the economy we live in today. Jobs are not guaranteed after graduation.
When taking advantage of internships, students are provided with knowledge that will make them stronger and more confident. The problem with some students is that they don’t build up enough work ethic to increase their abilities in the field of their choice. Internships allow students to learn about organizing time, self-control and productive communication skills in a professional setting.
Truthfully, in the beginning I wasn’t interested in applying for an internship because many of them are unpaid and, like the average college student, my money is limited while in school. Every moment of free time you have is dedicated to a paycheck or credits for school.
Eventually, I found an organization that I was interested in learning more about. Not only has it turned out to be a great experience, but one that I needed in order to structure my future plans of working in the public relations field.
In the real world, it’s all about who you know, and the best way to increase your contacts is through networking. Too many students sit back and think stardom will knock at their front door, but in all actuality, if you want success you have to go get it.
My internship has allowed me to participate in activities that will one day, with determination, be my job and obligation to perform. The dilemma with employers is that a lot of graduates do not have the useful skills necessary to stand out in their profession. In other words, the professionalism of students is less than it should be.
Although there are is great amount of speculation on how to encourage students and increase awareness of internships, it is apparent that higher levels of education are not enough to train students for a real world experience.
Life after college is scary to think about, but I’ve learned to use the energy I used to put toward being nervous toward being determined. Walking into a career with no hands-on experience is similar to a blind man walking in the street. The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.
