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Many people wonder whether or not actually finding a part-time job or an internship while in college is worth the extra time it demands. They often wonder if the extra work will get in the way of their already hefty workload from their schoolwork. It turns out that having an internship will not only add some flare to a resume, but will also allow the student to gain valuable real world experience that can only help the student when they look for a job and enter into the working world.
A college internship often separates the good students from the great students who take initiative and are proactive in developing their skills for the work place. Many students believe that doing the bare minimum, meaning going to class, doing their homework, studying for tests and getting good grades, is good enough to impress potential employers. However, many students present recruiters or interviewers with similar resumes and they become bored with seeing the same type of applicant. Those who show something different on their resume are often times rewarded for their efforts. Extracurricular activities through the school or university often help students become more well-rounded young men or women, as it gives them the opportunity to develop their leadership skills or other aspects of their personalities. A college internship allows students to get a different view of the world that they may not have had before. A look at the real world before having to actually enter the real world for real will always help the process go much smoother.
Having a college internship while going through college will allow the student to get a new perspective on the world and develop their image of the working world more. Especially with internships that allow their interns to take on some real responsibility, a student has the potential to place themselves light years ahead of their competition when interviewing for a new job. A college internship is always a good thing and will not push the student backwards in their development, only forward. This often shows itself in the interview with a recruiter or employer. The applicant with an internship under their belt will be able to speak about work and life to a greater extent and in greater depth and insight than the college graduate who got by with the bare minimum. Interviewers will be impressed with these students who took a proactive approach to their education and development and found themselves a college internship.
Some internships do not allow their interns much responsibility and have them do common office jobs that nobody ever wants to do. This does not create a well-rounded individual, as the intern will likely not be performing these tasks because the company will probably enlist the services of an intern to do these tasks. Look for an internship that allows the student greater responsibility so that they do not get stuck doing mundane tasks. This makes certain that the intern will not waste their time and will walk away from the internship a more well-rounded individual who is all the more ready to tackle the real world.
For many students and working adults, the decision to pursue a college degree can be a difficult one. The time and financial commitments involved may seem overwhelming at time, especially to someone at the beginning of their academic journey. Thankfully, there are many option available for students who wish to pursue their education but are limited by free time and resources. Online learning has revolutionized education by allowing students to attend classes whenever their schedule permits from wherever internet access is available. Federal and private loans are available for students needing to finance a portion or all of their tuition. Still, the time and effort required to make the arrangements to get into college, much less attend and graduate from an educational institution, may lead some to question the necessity of earning a degree.
In today's society, earning a college degree is essential for success in the employment market. Few positions in the workforce with upward mobility or ample advancement opportunities are available for those without an education beyond the high school level. Of course, the type of career path one chooses can greatly affect factors such as these, but overall, those who earn a college degree simply have more and better job opportunities.
Financially, earning a college degree is a wise choice. The rate of return in future earnings for every dollar a student spends on education more than makes up for the cost of earning a degree. Bachelor's degree holders gain an estimated one million dollars in lifetime earnings over those who only hold a high school diploma, according to a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau. But getting a college degree is about more than just higher earnings, and many of the benefits can have a profound impact on graduate's lives.
College graduates enjoy better health, participate in more leisure activities, save a greater amount (by percentage) of their earnings, offer an improved quality of life for their children and report higher levels of personal happiness than adults with a high school diploma, according to the Institute for Higher Education Policy. Furthermore, a recent study by the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education revealed that college graduates are less prejudiced, exhibit greater rationality and are more aware of world affairs than their non-degree holding counterparts.