High school is coming to an end for many senior students, and most of them are feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of applying to different colleges and hoping that they get selected at their first options. The stakes are high, and college applications are more competitive than ever, so students must show their best skills, abilities, and experiences to prove themselves the best fit for their ideal alma mater. Something many people may not know is that participating in internships and including them in your college application may provide a significant advantage over most candidates. In our following guide, we share some insight on why internships are an important part of your college application and can be a wonderful way to step ahead into the field you love.
Internships Provide Real-Life Experience
Being able to immerse yourself in the daily tasks of a job or profession you may see yourself doing in the future. While the school has given you the theory and some basic notions on general subjects, internships allow you to see these abstract concepts in action and even start noticing other skills and abilities you can only acquire through experience. In these situations, you step away from your role as a student. Instead, you’ll be seen as a member of a professional team who’s willing to collaborate, listen to the leader, and try their best while learning from others and note their mistakes. Testing the waters before you graduate is crucial to get accustomed to what comes after high school and for your personal growth. Being able to talk about your internship experience also helps you add that helpful insight into your college application essays and let those experiences and insights shine through your answers, especially if you’ve decided to apply for a specialized program.
Internships give Space for Networking and Meet New People
An often overlooked aspect of internships is making connections with people inside the industry and learning directly about their personal experiences, aside from leaving good impressions for the future. You can choose the best internships for high school students through summer camps, animal shelters, private companies, medical or political programs in your area. Depending on your area of interest, you can start dipping your toes into the field with an internship and it can help you decide whether the career path you’re thinking of following is really for you. At the end of your training, every co-worker and supervisor you’ll interact with during your internship can become an invaluable connection once you’re ready to start your career. Even if you don’t end up following that trade or occupation, getting yourself out there and meeting new people outside of high school should be a priority in your life. You may find yourself in other activities that you may add to your application once the internship is over!
Previous Experiences Allows you to Stand Out
Every day, colleges receive countless applications from students worldwide and even overseas to get a position in their careers. Even if you’re able to avoid the most common mistakes when going through the entire process, the competition in some places will be high.
Therefore, you may only have a few seconds to make an impression on the people in charge of making the final cuts at the admission office, and you need to show them your passion and commitment to your chosen career path. Internship experience in your application shows that you care about bringing more than academic knowledge to the table and that you’re inspired to become a well-rounded professional. Most colleges and trade schools are highly interested in what you will bring to the table for their community, and having previous experiences in your application is a good sign that can raise your chances of getting accepted into your dream career.
Internships are an invaluable tool for you to start learning about the field you’re interested in and have real-world experience that can help you in your personal and professional growth before you graduate. Before stepping into the next chapter of your life, you may feel overwhelmed with how much you need to do. After all, college applications are a complex and time-consuming process where you always need to pay attention to deadlines, additional requirements and hope for the best once you send the documents to the admission office. However, you can increase your chances of getting into the program you want and start working towards your future if you place efforts to get into an internship when possible. That way, not only do you get hands-on experience on the field, but you’re also stepping ahead of the competition once it’s time to send that application.