To Be or Not to Be a Graduate Intern?

Before taking up that graduate internship, take some time to reflect on these pros and cons.

If you missed the chance to complete an internship while you were still in school, or are still unsure about where you should go after graduation, a graduate internship could be for you.

After all, completing a graduate internship in the company or industry you hope to launch your career in is a valid strategy for working towards a permanent position. Furthermore, it’s also an excellent chance for you to pick up new skills and realign your career goals – especially if you’re looking to enter a sector you have no experience in.

But before you decide to take this step, make sure you consider these pros and cons!

Why you should do it

PROS

1. To get your foot in the door An internship can be used as part of a long-term strategy to get into the company you want to work in – apply as a graduate intern and give the role your all to make an exceptional impression with your employer. If your manager likes you, you may get an offer for a full-time position at the end!

But even if it doesn’t work out, the experience will still look great on your resume, and you can use it as a stepping stone to explore opportunities with other firms in the same industry. 2. To expand your professional networknetwork Take this golden opportunity to grow your professional network. During an internship, you’ll get to work alongside professionals in the industry you’re interested in, and you might even get the chance to make them personal friends. This can benefit you in the future!

Put the best version of yourself forward during company or office events; someone you’ve introduced yourself to may be looking for a person to fill a full-time role in their department – you never know! Get yourself on the radar and leave a positive lasting impression.

3. To get insider insights If you’re still trying to figure out which roles in the industry match your personality and skills the best, a graduate internship can be very useful for gaining valuable insights.

It’s also a great way to learn about the inner workings of the organisation and grasp what’s expected of the different roles there.

As an intern, you can leverage on the resources available and speak to your assigned mentor or manager to learn more about the sector and business. This can go a long way in helping you make an informed decision regarding your planned career path. 4. To bulk up your resume If you didn’t spend enough time on extracurricular activities or gathering other work experience that can help reinforce your resume with relevant points while you were still in school, it’s not too late to start after you graduate.

An internship is the perfect way to develop the required skills and gain the necessary experience to make your resume attractive to recruiters. As the saying goes, it’s better to be late than never!

Things to consider CONS

1. The pay It’s no secret that as an intern, you’ll be paid significantly less than your peers who hold permanent jobs. So if you have significant financial obligations, it may not be a good idea to pursue one.

However, if you truly need the additional experience, don’t let this discourage you. After all, it’s a good investment in your future career!

2. The role It’s unlikely for your role as an intern to be as focused and specific as that of a graduate recruit in a training programme. Instead, you’ll be given a variety of tasks that seem insignificant, and you may find it difficult to develop key industry skills.

On the other hand, you can use this as an opportunity to showcase your initiative by asking for higherlevel responsibilities that’ll also help you grow professionally. More than that, it can improve your chances of being offered a permanent role at the company.