Summer internships are beginning to be advertised! What makes a good internship in 2023? Here are the top five things to consider when choosing a 2023 summer internship.
Structure
A good summer internship will have structure. Questions such as, “What does the typical day look like for an intern?” or “What objectives do you have for summer interns?” will help you identify the level of structure and advanced thought a company has given to their summer internship program. Some companies even have interns complete projects or create friendly competition between interns. These structures help students maximize learning experiences during summer employment, especially if the internship is remote.
Mentorship
The most valuable 2023 summer internships will include a strong mentorship component. Knowing who you will report to and how regular your communication will be will give a student good insight into how strong an internship’s mentorship component will be. The mentor will likely be in the interview. Don’t hesitate to direct a few additional questions to that person to get a feel for his/her personality, management style, and approach to work and mentoring.
Learning Opportunities
Internships are all about learning and gaining experience. Make sure the opportunities you are considering for 2023 summer internships will challenge you and provide ample opportunities to learn new skills. Sure, a student intern will be asked to complete some easy tasks (filing papers, etc.) from time to time; that is part of the role. Make sure, however, that you will receive new training, gain new experiences, and learn new things about your industry.
Work Environment
The work environment can make all the difference in an internship experience. Many well-established internship programs will have articles published online from former interns who share their experiences. Take advantage of these public articles and read them before your interviews! They provide a great perspective on the work environment, mentorship components, and learning opportunities. Then, in your interviews, ask the panel how they would describe their company’s work environment or what they enjoy most about their job and company.
Compensation
If you are wondering what makes a good internship in 2023, the pay and compensation should be the LAST factor you consider of these top five. Why? Because the purpose of an internship is not to make a lot of money. The purpose is to learn, grow, and identify components that would bring you long-term career fulfillment. To students and parents, a $ 1-an-hour pay difference may seem like a good reason to choose one internship over another; however, given the short-term nature of internships, the earning potential between $14/hour and $15/hour will end up being less than $300 after taxes. It is MUCH more important to accept an internship for growth potential and the right work environment than it is for a slight wage difference.
As you explore opportunities for 2023 summer internships, use these five criteria to help you make the best, most informed decision for your future! If you are in the beginning phases of summer internship exploration, consider attending a career fair and starting your search online! For more ideas and inspiration, follow me on Facebook, as I’ll be posting more tips for summer internship success!
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