If you’re a current student or a job seeker looking for opportunities, you’re more than likely acquainted with what internships can offer you to boost your career skills. But for those of you who are new to the game of the working world, internships are professional placements designed to give a candidate a robust skillset and working knowledge in a chosen career.
Internships are most common with students, but in reality they are designed for anyone who is looking for extra experience in between jobs, or for people who have made a career change. It’s no surprise that internships are booming in popularity in the recent years, and in 2022 they are expected to be a major part of the entry-level working world.
Want to learn more about the future of work and take the steps to present yourself as job-ready? Here’s the top three reasons why internships are on the rise in 2022.
1. Internship placements are often necessary to graduate from university
For many degrees, an emphasis on professional practice has seen an increase to ensure that students are “work ready”. This means that alongside learning the knowledge and skills you’ve studied in the classroom, current students will get a chance to apply their skills in real-life situations. Oftentimes, this might look like undergoing a week-long placement or an even longer one that could last a few months. Focusing on the experience of learning how to make a difference in your chosen field can give you the self-confidence you need to push yourself to the next step. If your degree doesn’t have a professional practicum component to it, then considering an internship can benefit you in numerous ways, including learning about the ins and outs of your chosen industry in a supportive, scaffolded environment.
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2. Internships provide a flexible work environment
If there’s one thing we’ve learned during the last few years, it’s that employers and employees must adapt to suit the needs of individuals. Flexible working environments are here to stay for the benefit of everyone, and this is no different to internship opportunities. Many internships are on a part-time basis, meaning that you can fit in your studies with time to successfully complete your internship. The rise of remote work has given people the chance to work smarter, not just harder. Choosing remote internship options mean that you can essentially ‘work’ anywhere around Australia without having to leave your home. For example, if you live in Adelaide but want to intern for a company in your field based in Sydney, you can also get to experience networking with fellow peers who are where you will be in a professional sense in the future! Think of all of the practical advice you can get before you start. You’ll know all of the industry secrets and top tips to make your entrance into your chosen field a seamless process.
3. Internships prepare you for the real world of your career
It’s no secret that entering into the workforce can be a really stressful and overwhelming time of our lives, especially if the only experience you’ve had is limited to what you’ve learnt in the lecture theatre while studying. While it might be easy to recall concepts and knowledge that you’ve learnt during a degree, for many people the idea of “learning by doing” rings true and more practical ways of learning can broaden the horizon for you to acquire the nuance in applying skills across different situations. Feeling lost is a common emotion that entry-level workers increasingly report, but it doesn’t have to be a rollercoaster of difficulty if you’ve already acquainted yourself with the expectations of the job position during an internship. For example, you might be well aware of the tasks you might complete upon a day-to-day basis on the job, but actually having a realistic timeframe of your day is different. Each day comes with new challenges, and internship opportunities do not simulate them for you – they are real life experiences!
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The working world has shifted overtime to meet the demand that change brings. Over the recent years, many factors, including a pandemic have brought out an environment where employees’ needs are the focus. As a result, internship programs have skyrocketed in popularity. Internships place an emphasis on creating a supportive work environment where candidates can effectively learn without placing an enormous amount of pressure to immediately be successful, and people can “try it before they buy” into a career. We all go through learning curves, and entering work is one of them that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Are you interested in being part of a professional culture that values giving staff meaningful experiences and effectively preparing them for a successful and fulfilling career? These are all aspects of internships that can benefit you directly. Have a look at the current internship vacancies or mentorship programs with Premium Graduate Placements.