There are many programs in Universities and colleges that have a mandatory internship requirement. However, these programs are not the popular choice for a lot of international students. Some students shy away from the hiring process and some are in a rush to finish their education to start their permanent residency process.
According to a recent survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 72.2% percent of college graduates with internship experience received a job offer in contrast to only 36.5% for those who did not complete one.
Internships are the perfect place to learn, test your skills, and grow personally, so you can step out and apply what you know to the real world.
Here are 4 reasons why having an internship is so important.
- Skill Development
Developing your knowledge of workplace collaboration, business etiquette, and strong communication tactics are among the vital “soft skills” that can only be learned on the job. In this way, internships in your area of study will build your resume and teach you instrumental, career-developing qualities. It allows you to apply your theoretical knowledge in reality and further strengthens your skills through on-the-job learning.
- Passion Development
Not everyone knows right from the beginning what they are passionate about or which career to pursue. It is also very common to have more than one interest within the same industry. Getting internships helps you further explore your interests and get some industry insight before you make your final decision.
- A foot in the door
Most students use their internship experience to build their network and get their foot in the door of a company. The likelihood of the company giving you a full time offer upon the completion of your internship or your online application is very high. Most companies use internships to discover new talent and are willing to invest in ideal candidates.
- Canadian Experience
Internships are a great segway into learning the Canadian corporate culture, especially for international students. It helps you understand the team dynamics, Canadian customers, and slowly adapt to this new environment. They also help you translate your international experience (if any) and build that bridge for the Canadian employers.
We have personally witnessed hundreds of stories of international students getting into their dream industries by using their internship experience. It might take a lot of effort to land your ideal internship experience but the key is to start early and understand the hiring cycle. Stay tuned for more resources on how to land internships in Canada.
