Internships As A Financial Aid Option
Internships really get a bad wrap. I mean, all you ever hear about is how most are unpaid. And if you are paid, the wages are so low that it’s not worth it. You may also commonly hear the complaints about how you’re bossed around when you’re an intern and are basically everyone in the office’s slave.
This is just not true! Internships are a fantastic way to gain real-life experience on the job in your chosen career field. And there are plenty of paying opportunities out there that can help you contribute to your college finances and get this valuable experience at the same time.
Benefits of Internships
The benefits of internships are so numerous it would be impossible to mention them all here. However, one of the most important benefits involves gaining the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned or are learning in the classroom to a real life work situation. Plus, there are just some things that’s can’t be taught in a classroom and an internship is beneficial in that regard as well. And probably most importantly, you get to see if the career you want to pursue is truly something you’d like to do. If it’s not, then you can work on changing your major now rather than graduating with a degree in a field you find out later you’re not interested in!
And yes, there are plenty of paying internships out there, you just have to know where to look. Three areas that offer well-paying and interesting internships include the State Department, the Peace Corps and the private sector.
State Department
If you want a real hands-on experience, the State Department is a fantastic place to locate an internship. Most of these internships are located abroad in various countries, however there are some available in Washington, D.C. as well. It’s a very worthwhile program that includes room and board. It is an opportunity best suited for students studying business, the environment, foreign policy or cultural affairs. Knowledge of a second language is often required as well.
Peace Corps
Interning with the Peace Corps is an excellent opportunity. Not only do you gain practical experience that will help you in any career path you choose, it will also help you pay for college and pay off your student loans. While volunteering with the Peace Corps requires a two year commitment, once completed you will be offer job placement assistance and a whole host of other benefits such as retirement credit and noncompetitive eligibility for one year for government jobs—meaning you do not have to go through the same competitive application process as those that have not served with the Peace Corps.
Private Sector
The private sector takes in all other businesses that may offer internships to promising students or graduates. This is where those non-paying opportunities come up a lot. However, there are still many paying internships out there in all different sorts of career fields that you should know about. Try using a service such as MonsterTRAK, which can match you with jobs and internships that fit specifications you select.
You should also stop by your major’s department office and look at the bulletin boards or ask about internship opportunities. There are bound to be plenty in your area. They are just not that widely publicized. If you do the legwork, you’re going to find internships that suit your needs by providing you with real life experience and enough cash to help fund at least a portion of your college education. While you probably won’t get rich being an intern, the doors that will be opened because of the experience are worth it.
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