When you were in elementary school and were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up, I’m
sure many things flew through your head.
You probably thought about being a police officer, firefighter or athlete, but you never stopped to think
about what it takes to get there. You grew up thinking that life would be a piece of cake and that once
you finished high school you’d get a job and make tons of money.
Well, I’m here to tell you it takes more than that.
Upon graduation, if you are lucky enough to attend college, you might find that college is not enough to
have success in life.
You may think I sound crazy because you’ve seen others around you telling you that once they
graduated they got a job. What you must realize is that times have changed.
It used to be that you could get a job without even having a college degree. Now, a four-year degree is
often not enough.
I thought that going to college would automatically get me where I wanted to be. While it has opened
some doors, it’s also helped me realize I need something more.
It takes more than just hard work and determination to get your dream job – internships are key.
Whether you’re new to campus or getting ready to graduate, internships are vital to getting the job you
want. With an internship comes experience in a given area.
When you apply for jobs and hand in your resume, keep in mind businesses and organizations are
looking for internships. Employers are looking to see if you have any experience in the field and if you
are familiar with the territory.
It’s simply not enough to just get straight A’s and assume that the job is yours. In fact, job companies will
often pick somebody with B’s and internship experience before they pick somebody with straight A’s but
no experience.
You will have to work ten times harder than the next person, and internships are often a big component
when choosing between two or more candidates looking for the same job.
But internships, like jobs, will not be offered to you at your door. You have to go look for one yourself.
Contact organizations, go to their offices, ask questions and find out what you need to do to work for
these employers.
While some internships are paid, most are not. This might seem like a negative, but it’s not about the
money – it’s about the experience.
Once you have an internship, learn as much as possible, and treat it like it’s your everyday job because
you never know where or when you may see those people again.
While it may seem a little late for those of you who are seniors, it’s never too late to work on your
future.
If you want a job in your desired major, internships are not an option. They are a must.
Aubrey Gibert can be reached by email at gibert.record@live.com.