The Importance of Getting an Internship

These days, no matter what college you go to, sitting in a classroom for four years will not give you the competitive edge needed when searching for your first job. What you need is to get an internship. While it is valuable to go to class and learn the definitions and read the case studies, a college degree does not guarantee you an amazing job. So, it’s time to get out of the lecture hall and start using your classroom knowledge in a professional setting. Think of an internship as the time when you start your professional career. An internship will give you relevant, previous experience that you can put in your resume, the opportunity to connect and network with industry professionals, as well as the ability to show a potential employer how you used your time management skills to produce X, Y and Z, instead of just saying “I have great time management skills.” Also, you could even land a full-time job. For more internship information, check out my webinar tomorrow, Getting Agency Experience: A guide for students looking for internships, where I’ll talk more in-depth about cover letters, resumes, interviews, follow-ups and how to keep it once you get an internship.

About the Author: Ellen Stevens

As the Search Media Manager for Off Madison Ave’s interactive division, Mighty Interactive, Ellen develops and manages strategic online paid search and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) campaigns for clients of all sizes. She is also the head of the internship program at Off Madison Ave. Ellen uses her previous agency internship experience to be an effective mentor and help the students develop skills they will need professionally after graduation. Ellen graduated from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a certificate in international business.

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