5 things to consider before accepting an internship offer

So you’ve applied for a bunch of internship opportunities and you’re finally hearing back. The good news is you’ve been accepted for a few positions! The bad news is you now have a major decision to make — and that has left you feeling totally anxious. Choosing the “right” internship doesn’t have to be stressful, however. All it takes is a little thought. Here are the five things you should consider before accepting an offer: 1. How it will affect your studies The purpose of having an internship is to get real-world experience in your chosen career field. An internship is meant to complement your academic studies, helping you build the skills you need to get a job in your field after graduation. Internships, like your academics, require a significant time commitment. While the number of hours interns work varies, most internships done during the semester require 10 to 20 hours each week. That’s quite a bit of time. When deciding whether or not to accept an internship offer, it’s important to factor in this time commitment into your academic schedule. If the amount of time required by the internship is so great it that it would force you to cut down on study time, it’s probably worth turning down. You can always look for another internship that’s a better fit for your schedule. 2. What kind of work you’ll be doing You’ve probably heard internship horror stories where interns are relegated to shredding papers and running coffee to their supervisors. While permissible once in awhile, doing these tedious tasks day in and day out will not only tire you out, it won’t teach you much. When you’re an intern, the kind of work you are going to perform should closely mirror that which you would do as an employee in that field. Be sure to discuss your daily tasks with your prospective supervisor before accepting an internship position. If you don’t think you’ll get much out of doing those tasks, or the tasks don’t sound appealing to you, you may want to decline. 3. What you’ll get out of it While almost all internships have value to offer, some are more valuable than others. What you get out of an internship is closely related to the work you are required to do as an intern. The greater the number of valuable career skills and professional connections you gain as an intern, the more valuable the internship. The value of an internship can also be measured by its potential to turn into a paid job, which is something you should discuss with your prospective internship supervisor before making your decision. 4. How much you’ll make (or not make) While the most important thing to consider when choosing an internship is the skills and experience you’ll get out of it, money is also something to think about. Paid internships are usually more desirable than unpaid internships, so they’re usually more competitive. Whether paid or unpaid, you’ll need to take into account any internship-related expenses, such as commuting costs, supplies, housing, and meals. Additionally, you’ll need to figure out if the costs and benefits of choosing an internship over your regular job if you normally work during the semester. 5. Your other options Before saying yes to what you think is your dream internship, put some time into assessing your other options. After careful consideration, you may discover that what you thought was a second- or third-choice internship is really an ideal fit. Source- college.usatoday For further assistance related to Internship related queries in India, Dubai or Singapore, please visit : http://www.pursueasia.com