For most young people trying to enter the work force the most common reason they give for not getting hired is “lack of experience.” Lots of students feel caught in the cycle of, “how can I gain experience if I can’t get a job.” One of the best ways to overcome this obstacle is to get an internship.

An internship is work experience designed to allow students to explore jobs relating to their university majors or to a specific career goal. There are a number of benefits to completing an internship. According to monster.com “employers overwhelmingly point to internship experience as the most important factor they consider in hiring new college graduates for full time positions.”

Aside from the possibility of being more employable to a perspective employer, here are some other benefits of internships:

1. Completing an internship in high school may help you choose (or rule out) a university major. Maybe you wanted to be a Veterinarian your whole life, but after completing an internship in a vet’s office you discovered it really isn’t for you. The on the job training will help give you the opportunity to see what it’s really like in a certain field, and allow you to test out if the job is everything you expected it to be.
2. Some internships may allow you to earn course credits. You might also be paid during your internship (though in some cases you will be expected to work for experience not for money).
3. You can gain first hand job experience and knowledge that can’t be taught in the classroom. On the job training may make you more marketable to perspective employers. Internships also look really great on your resume.
4. Internships can help you improve your confidence and self-esteem. Working in a professional environment and doing a good job will definitely help boost your confidence. It feels good to work hard and feel like you’ve contributed in some way.
5. It will provide you with the opportunity to network. You can make contacts you can use in the future, which may lead to a future job opportunity or a valuable reference.
6. You might work with someone who can become a mentor to you while your pursue career goals. Mentors can be helpful to ask questions to, get advice from and to learn from someone who works in a field that interests you.

Although education is extremely important, on the job, real world experience provides invaluable opportunities that can’t be duplicated in a classroom, which is why the benefits of an internship are well worth all the hard work you’ll have to put in.