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Internships: The Key to Landing Your Dream Job

Why you need to start looking for an internship today.

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By Aaron Dodson

My friend Jordan walked up to me this summer with some exciting news. It was evident from the way that he wildly gestured with his big hands that he had something important to share. He had landed an internship with the FBI—he would get a secret clearance and an almost certain full time job or scholarship when the internship ended.

Here’s why you need to start looking at your internship options right now.

From a strict “pros and cons” viewpoint, internships win out every time. Advantages include real life training, a better looking resume, more job options, and even a little cash if the internship pays, which is becoming a more popular trend these days. The only drawback with most internship programs is the financial cost; or less income as compared to the standard summer job.

Imagine this. You are the employer for a medium sized marketing solutions company and have the job of interviewing two prospective employees. Both are fresh out of college and have their degrees. The only difference that you can find is that one took a summer internship. So which do you choose?

The latest statistics, let alone common sense, show that the applicant with the internship experience will get the job. The National Association of Colleges and Employers says that 70% of students that participate in Internships are offered jobs. They also say that about 44% of employers will offer higher salaries to new hires with co-op/internship experience.

Employers prefer those that have shown a desire to be active in the trade that they have chosen, as well as having some practical experience under their belt. Up to 90% of employers use their companies intern programs to find new hires.

In the latest edition of Job Choices magazine, a publication from the National Association of Colleges and Employers, internship programs are listed as the number one place employers look when recruiting new hires. “Internships provide you with the opportunity to test-drive a career option,” the article said, “and to gain valuable experience and skills in the process that will make you more competitive and marketable in today's job search.”

So how does this play into your college education? Many internship opportunities also give you the ability to get college credit for the experience that you gain while on the job. Ultimately, your college education is made to be a launching pad to a career.

No one wants to be a student forever, and every college student dreads the resulting job search. Internships are the best way to realize your dreams and prepare for your career and life in the real world.

Aaron Dodson Aaron Dodson is a marketing intern at CollegePlus! In addition to writing, blogging, and editing video, he's taking CLEP exams at breakneck speed.

Don't stop here!

So you want an internship? Here are the details on how to get one and what to do once you have it.

What's real world internship look like? Find out now!

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