The most valuable internships offer hands-on, real-world experience. An important baseline when considering an internship placement is ensuring that you’ll either get to hone existing skills relevant to your field or develop new skills. For many people, an internship is an opportunity to apply their academic background into a professional setting.
Why are internships important?
Of course, the top reason to do an internship is to enhance your professional profile and prepare yourself for a full-time role in your field. It's important to consider how the environment of an internship matches your future goals.
For example, if you hope to someday become a digital nomad, a remote internship may be more valuable to you than a traditional placement. If your goal is to be fluent in another language and live abroad, an in-person placement in a foreign country might be your best option.
Types of internship programs
As a student or young professional looking to gain some experience, there are several different types of internship programs to consider.
Company specific internships
First of all, you can apply to intern directly with a particular company. This is an excellent option for those who already have a bit of professional experience on their resume, and know the field they’re interested in.
There are many top-tier companies around the world that are known for their internship programs. These include places like consulting firm KPMG, global software company SAP, and athletics company UnderArmour.
What sets these companies’ internships apart? They are well-established and highly structured. Interns report taking part in important and hands-on work. Additionally, companies often ensure that interns have the chance to get to know top leadership, attend Q/A sessions with executives, and have coffee meetups with potential mentors in the field. Of course, many of these companies are also known for hiring their former interns into full-time positions.
All-inclusive internship programs
That being said, some of the best internship programs are those that are all-inclusive. For example, The Intern Group’s program places qualified applicants in hands-on internships within a vast network of host organizations.
There are many benefits to this type of program. No matter what profession you’re interested in pursuing, there’s a placement for you. The Intern Group has opportunities in a wide variety of career fields, actually over 20!
And The Intern Group isn’t the only internship program that offers this type of option, there are many others. In most cases, tuition for these programs includes a guaranteed internship, housing, social and cultural events, and support from an expert team of staff. In some cases, students can receive academic credit for these programs, but keep in mind that they tend to be unpaid.
Top Career Fields for Internships
The great thing about an internship program like The Intern Group, whether remote or in-person, is that you have many options as far as which career to pursue. If you’re still studying, don’t have much prior experience, or haven’t quite decided which field to follow, you can chat with an admissions officer about what could be a good fit.
That being said, it’s also a good idea to think about gaining experience in a field that will be in high demand in the next several years. If you want to be hired right away after graduation, there are a few career fields that are particularly hot:
Business
It’s always a good idea to have business experience. It’s truly one of the most versatile career fields for an internship! Business interns develop a wide variety of transferable skills that can be used in just about any field. From project management to social media to supply chain work, business is an incredibly broad field. Whether you’re pursuing a business degree or are just dipping your toes in the business world, this is a good field to launch your career in.
Finance
Financial professionals usually have a related degree, and to get ahead in this field an internship is the perfect way to gain hands-on experience. There are multiple areas within the world of finance that offer high salaries and exciting opportunities, including accounting, financial planning, and even investments.
Computer Science
Learning to code, to build and fix websites and mobile applications, is incredibly valuable. As a software engineer or data scientist, you’ll be in incredibly high demand, and that goes for around the world, not just in Silicon Valley. Begin developing these skills early with a computer science internship, and you’ll be well-poised to make your move in this competitive field.
Best Summer Internship Programs
The best type of summer internship for you may depend on your circumstances. That can include your career field, availability, financial situation, and more. The Intern Group has a wide variety of internship programs, and each has slightly different benefits.
First of all, we have an excellent program for those who want an experience abroad. Our Global Internship Program places qualified interns with a host organization in one of our destinations to complete a traditional, in-office internship. This can be for instance London, New York or Melbourne. This is an excellent program to explore a new city with the support of a local team, living and taking part in events with other interns as part of a unique global community.
For those who want to live like locals abroad but have more flexibility, our Digital Nomad Program might be the best option. This program offers the chance to explore amazing destinations like Thailand, Colombia or Madrid. All of this while still advancing your career! Interns live together in a community, making friends and connections from all around the world.
If you’re studying or working this summer, or have other commitments, a Remote Internship Program might be your best bet. Our remote internships are extremely flexible and can fit into just about any schedule. Interns accepted to the program can choose between internships ranging from 10, 20, 30, or 40 hours of remote work per week. Programs range from 4 to 24 weeks and also have flexible starting dates. We’ve compiled an article including everything you need to know about remote internships to answer all of your questions.
Don't let this year pass you by! Apply for the right internship program for you and take your career to the next level.
