If you’re pursuing an online associate degree in business at Campus, you probably know that some of your fellow students are doing internships at local companies. You may be considering doing one as well, but you aren’t sure whether the time commitment is worth it, and whether it can help you land your dream job.
Overall, internships can be an important component of business administration education, preparing you for a successful career in a competitive field. Here’s what you should know about the role of internships in business administration programs.
What is an Internship?
Internships are short-term work experiences designed to provide hands-on, practical learning in a specific field. They’re offered to students and graduates of colleges including Campus. These temporary positions typically last from several weeks to a few months and allow you to apply what you learned in class to real-world scenarios.
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What are Key Internship Characteristics? - Every internship is different, but you’ll find that they all share common characteristics:
- They provide meaningful work related to your field of study
- They can be paid or unpaid
- They can be full-time or part-time
- They provide opportunities for career exploration and skill development
Why Employers Offer Internships
You may be wondering, what’s in it for employers? Well, through internships, employers are better able to recruit prospective employees and bring fresh perspectives to the company. Internships also allow organizations to finish short-term projects, develop their talent pipeline, and access skilled, motivated students.
The Role of Internships in Business Administration Programs
Here at Campus, we offer an excellent online business administration program with courses led by professors who also teach at top-ranked universities. Whether you’re a current or prospective student, an internship could be beneficial to you. Here are some reasons to consider
Real-World Application - Internships allow you to apply theories you learn in class to actual business scenarios. You’ll gain insights into decision making, daily operations, and problem solving. The experience you’ll gain is invaluable.
Skill Development - With an internship, you get opportunities to develop and hone necessary skills such as teamwork, project management, critical thinking, time management, and communication, all of which are highly valued by companies.
Networking Opportunities - An internship would help you make professional connections that could result in post-graduation job opportunities or mentorships.
Some internships feature mentorship programs during which you’ll work closely with professionals, gaining insights and advice that can help shape your career. Further, many internships present events aimed at connecting you with executives and other interns, as well as full-time employees.
Resume Building and Employability - The practical experience you gain through an internship will make you more competitive in the job market. It can potentially secure future job opportunities.
Job Offers - An internship could serve as a pathway to the full-time job you want. Employers commonly use internships to gauge candidates’ skills and cultural fit for potential future employment.
Career Exploration - Maybe you aren’t sure what industry or segment is right for you. An internship would expose you to a variety of industries and roles, and help you identify your strengths and interests. In turn, this will help you to refine your career goals.
The Best Industries for Business Administration Internships
Here are some of the top industries you might want to consider for an internship while in schools:
— Finance and banking. This segment offers positions in bookkeeping, financial analysis, risk assessment and more, providing exposure to investment strategies and financial management.
— Consulting. This will let you solve business problems across sectors such as technology, marketing, and finance while gaining key industry insights.
— Accounting. If you’re pursuing a career in finance, you’ll gain experience in tax preparation, auditing, and finance.
— Healthcare administration. Many healthcare Institutions offer opportunities in healthcare finance and operational management.
In Summary
Internships are valuable experiences that bridge professional work and academic learning, helping you to transition from education to career. If you’re pursuing an online associate degree in business administration at Campus, you may want to consider getting an internship.
