In this article, we are going to discuss the role of internships in shaping a student’s career. Internships are a very important part of a student’s professional journey. During college, we often feel that we aren’t learning as much as we should. We may feel that we aren’t proficient in a specific skill and begin to question our abilities, thinking, “Do I really know how to do this?” Often, we try to find a way to learn and earn at the same time. An internship is the solution to these challenges.
Internships are so important that nowadays, educational boards like the MSBTE and universities are making them compulsory during college. For example, the MSBTE has an industrial training program that is similar to an internship. This ensures that students learn new skills and get an idea of what working in a company is actually like.
Why You Should Start Interning Early in College
Gain hands-on experience
In college, we mostly have theoretical subjects and very few practical sessions. Sometimes, these practicals aren’t even enough to understand the subject completely. Internships bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world practice because they are fully practical.
For example, while college teaches you what is a robot, an internship will teach you how to make a robot. You might even get paid to learn these skills. Therefore, to gain hands-on experience in any technology, subject, or field, students should do an internship.
Develop In-Demand Skills
Now imagine you started doing internship in a company, what do you think you will learn there? You can learn everything from how the company works, how a product is built, tested how it is maintained what are the tools/technologies used by companies? Basically you will learn all the real technical skills which are not taught in college.
Also if you start Internship that means there will be more people. Which will help you in improving your soft skills like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management that are critical in any workplace and are best learned in a professional environment.
Build Your Professional Network
When you will work in a organization, you will meet a lot of new people. You’ll connect with experienced professionals, mentors, and fellow interns. You will learn a lot of things from them as well. You will learn from their experience , how they communicate with each other, their style of working. These people will provide valuable guidance they will solve your problems motivate you in good things. These people can give you letters of recommendation, and even lead to job opportunities in the future.
Explore and Confirm Career Paths
An internship allows you to “test drive” a career before committing to it full-time. For example, let’s say you’re doing an internship in web development and you find that it’s not very interesting. This experience allows you to pivot and explore app development instead.
Internships are a great way to discover what you enjoy doing and, just as importantly, what you don’t. On the other hand, if you find web development fascinating, you can confirm it’s the right career path for you and focus on learning the latest technologies in the field. This is why internships are so important for exploring and confirming your career path.
Boost Your Resume and Job Prospects
Having internship experience on your resume makes you a much stronger candidate for full-time jobs after diploma/graduation. It shows employers that you have practical skills and are serious about your career. Many companies also use their internship programs as a primary way to recruit for full-time positions. Internship certificates/ experience letters work as a proof that you are skilled and technical person.
(READ How to build a resume as a diploma student)
Platforms where you can apply for Internships
Now that you know why doing internship early is important you can start applying for one. Below we have given list of websites. These websites feature a wide variety of internships across numerous fields and industries, from startups to large corporations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an internship is much more than just a temporary job; it’s a vital step in shaping your future. It’s your chance to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, develop valuable skills, and discover which career path truly excites you. Whether it confirms your goals or points you in a new direction, the hands-on experience and professional connections you gain are priceless. By taking on an internship, you are not just boosting your resume—you are building the confidence and foundation for a successful career long after graduation.