Today: Feb 13, 2025

Internships Are the Key to a Lasting Career

Natalie Barletta – Opinions Editor

There’s no doubt about it. The job market today is extremely competitive. In just a few short years, many of us will be shedding our titles as students to become members of the “real world.” Whatever our major is, we do know one thing. Finding a job isn’t an easy task nowadays and that’s a fact. Everyone wants us to have more and more experiences, however as freshly graduated students, we won’t have them. That’s when the advantage of an internship comes in.

“Everyday as an intern, I have the chance to learn about how a law office works and also what to expect once I begin working full time,” says Dalila Acosta.

Acosta is currently a student of Suffolk University where she is working towards her law degree. Over the summer, she interned at a law office in Southwestern Connecticut. “Experience is priceless and no amount of classroom hours can substitute for it,” says Acosta.

It seems like everyone is buzzing about their internships on the Southern campus, especially in the early weeks of the semester since it’s a common thing to get them out of the way over the summer.  Many majors, ranging from the mental health field to journalism to education, actually now require you to go and get an internship for a certain amount of hours. For example, to get your Bachelor’s Degree in Mental Health, you have to go through a field experience class which is 150 hours of field experience. My question is why?

Well, it’s a way to shadow someone who is actually in your field, and to help you receive some experience that would help you stand out when it’s time for you to go for the real thing. Getting a chance to even be around someone who is in the same field as you is always a beneficial thing because then you can see what’s it is really like to work in that field. Internships assist with that for two reasons. One is that you are surrounded by people who are in the same field as you. The other is that you can get a behind the scenes look at the field that you’re going into and see what it’s really like.

“No matter what program of study you are in, it is important to focus on gaining experience and making yourself a competitive candidate in the eyes of employers,” says Acosta.

Having an internship has no negative aspects. It’s experience, which you can put on your resume. When going for your first-out of college interview, it will guarantee to set you a part from the crowd. It gives you a feel of what you are going to face when you step out into the real world. Most importantly, it helps you learn more about the field than you would from in the halls of a classroom or from the pages of a textbook.

“Experience is the most valuable teacher you will ever have,” says Acosta. “There is no better way to learn about a profession or about yourself than learning by doing.”

It’s safe to say that internships have become essential to our college paths. Although not all majors require it, it’s something to consider during your career at Southern.

“Good grades are only one factor in securing an interview or a job; employers often want to see what else makes you stand out from the crowd,” said Acosta. “Internships are so valuable because they give you a chance to sharpen your skills and also network with people in your field, which can be very useful later on.

2 Comments

    • Getting a full-time job should be every student’s ultimate college goal. Thanks for the comment Michael, and make sure to check back for more SNEWS.

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