3min read
Here is my top 5 list of reasons why I would recommend an internship to anybody interested in a tech related career path.
1. There's a lot that universities don't teach you
After graduation, young professionals are equipped with a lot of theoretical knowledge. But, there's a lot that's missing in regular university curricula. At university, students learn close to nothing about the whole software development process. While working on programming homework or research assignments, students get to practice the dry concepts taught in lectures, but they do not learn how to build a software product from scratch and how to close the whole software development process circle.
2. The chance to learn from senior experts
Probably the greatest asset of working as an intern is the chance to ask the more experienced team members for advice and receive professional feedback. Having a mentor gives you the huge opportunity to learn and watch while doing practical work.
3. Figure out what you like and don't like
The tech industry offers lots and lots of different career paths. During your internship, you receive close insights into one of those paths. You will discover what kind of work you want to do, or, sometimes most importantly, what you don't want to do. This will later help you decide on an area to specialise in.
4. Boost up your job search
In case you already found your aspired career path, a completed internship can help you land that one job you always dreamed about. Firstly, an internship is the perfect way to build early connections to the industry, which will later open doors in your professional development that you might not think of now. Secondly, internships help with building up your resume. Having a completed internship will tell future recruiters that you already have relevant work experience, which will advance your application compared to other candidates. Lastly, references acquired through internships can further enhance your forthcoming job applications.
5. Sharpen your soft skills
Alongside the improved technical know-how and problem solving competences, internships offer an ideal way of improving your written and spoken communication skills. Not to mention, working as a team is key when working on a software project. Internships provide an atmosphere where developing your communication skills and refining your ability to successfully work in a team comes naturally.
Conclusion
Of course, this list of my top 5 reasons for doing an internship is by no means complete. You might even have your own strong personal reasons that I have not mentioned here. But no matter in which direction you want to grow, an internship is always a great opportunity to get your personal and professional development to the next level.
