| By Ally Mueller |
Exploring a career through an internship or two is a great way to figure out if a specific career path is the right choice for you. Internships can often be perfect to pursue during the summertime, but it’s never too early or a bad time to start looking for that perfect internship. Here are some tips to think about when exploring internships:
1. Don’t be afraid of an internship in a field that you don’t know terribly well.
Although it can be initially daunting to pursue an internship in an unfamiliar arena, taking risks with internships can really pay off. For example, you may be a business major with a love for fashion, but have never worked retail or had experience in retail management. However, pursuing a retail management internship would still be an excellent decision; you may not have directly applicable experience for the internship, but you have passion for the topic of the internship.
2. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone with an internship.
One of the most important things to remember with internships is that they are not permanent jobs. Though many internships do have the potential to turn into full-time jobs after graduation, you are not obligated to stay with that particular organization. Thus, stepping outside your comfort zone with an internship is relatively low-risk, but can have huge returns. Take the opportunity to explore a new field!
3. Don’t feel as if your internship has to be directly related to your major.
It’s a common misconception that a student should only pursue internships that he/she feels directly correlate with his/her major. However, if you possess passion for a particular organization and feel attracted to a particular internship program, you should pursue it! Employers will likely see your interest in the position and reward you; while experience is important, interest and passion for the internship/organization is as well.
4. Use your resources!
When exploring internships or careers, the most important step you can take is to talk to people and reach out to your connections. The more you can network, the more opportunities you will create for yourself. Reach out to everyone you know—friends, teachers, parents, alumni, professionals. People are usually more than happy to connect you with one of their coworkers or friends, and/or share an opportunity they know of with you. The hidden job market is huge, and can be one of the keys to exploring a new career.
Exploring new careers can be daunting, especially if your tendency is to stay within your comfort zone and desire as direct of a career path as possible. However, taking risks, exploring opportunities, and reaching out to your network can be greatly beneficial. You will most certainly learn from your experiences, further develop as a professional, and potentially find a new career path that is perfect for you!