Internships to be a value addition to students' career graph

Internships will help in meaningful networking that will help the students to find jobs after completing the course, writes Gaurav Bhagat.

Pursuing higher education to attain a certain amount of academic rigour and gain important skills is certainly a key aspect related to career growth for students. This makes the selection of the right academic courses in college, which is essential to have a successful career.

Along with academic education, there has been growing importance on experiential learning which is best for determining whether a student is ready with industry-related skill sets or not. In line with this, internships and summer training has become a crucial index to ascertain a student's preparedness for a good professional career.

Importance of interning

Most companies almost hire a student who has already gained an entry-level experience and knowledge about a particular field. Major colleges and universities across the country also mandated students, especially those enrolled in professional co- uses to undergo some sort of internship experience through summer training for better career development. Through internships and summer training, college students get an opportunity to gain a real-world industry experience outside the classroom. In the process, they learn the day-to-day functioning of a company in a particular field or domain. Students after pursuing summer training and internship enable the students to get first-hand industry exposure. internship and summer training programmes not only. get guidance to set a personal career growth, but also learn about the expectations of employers in a chosen field. Internship or summer training is a ba- lance between students' learning goals and a com- pany's organisational needs. Companies offering internships or summer training provide students with continuous guidance, observation, evaluation and feedback which is essential to their success. Following are some of the key benefits of undergoing internships and summer training.

Application of classroom learning

By pursuing internships and training programmes in a professional environment, students get the scope to develop their skills and learn practical applications of theories and concepts taught in classrooms. While honing their professional skills for academic development, students also get to learn industry-specific technological skills that are crucial for their careers.

Career selection

The internships and summer training provides first-hand industry exposure to the students, which can later help them make more informed decisions on selecting the appropriate career path.

Professional networking

Internships and summer training allows the students to build a professional network through the people they meet who may later turn out to be sources of job opportunities and references. Also, through a good professional network, students can co-learn and become each other's support in the early phase of their careers.

Experiential learning and upskilling

Internships and summer training provide students with first-hand exposure to a profession. Through this students not only get up-skilled, but it also helps them shape their career with the knowledge of the field they are thinking to opt for.

Enhancing the career prospects

Adding a certificate of internship or summer training is a major value addition to a student's resume. These certificates make a student a more preferable choice for hiring by an employer.

SOURCE-THE TIMES OF INDIA