Why Choose an Internship Over a Graduate Job?

If you have recently finished your degree, you may be confused as to what to do next. You may already be starting to think about applying for jobs but are confused as to whether you should be applying for graduate jobs or an internship.

While graduate jobs are permanent entry-level positions in your desired field, internships offer graduates with little or no experience the chance to work in their chosen sector for a temporary period of time. You’ll be provided with support and have the space to make mistakes as part of the learning process.

Here are some of the reasons why you should choose an internship over a graduate job:

Getting valuable internship work experience

It’s not always possible to secure graduate jobs in your chosen field due to the substantial competition with other candidates. It is far easier to secure an internship as you don’t need to have any previous experience under your belt. During this temporary placement, you’ll gain valuable work experience that will make a fantastic addition to your CV. In turn, you may discover that when applying for graduate jobs in the future, you’ll achieve greater success.

You’ll have the chance to mingle with professionals

Networking is one of the most important things you can do as a new graduate. In an internship, you’ll have the chance to work with long-term professionals who will be on hand to advise you and offer help whenever you need it. As such, you’ll gain expert training before you enter the workforce.
Making these connections is also beneficial when starting out in your career. They may be able to point you in the direction of your dream job opportunity or even refer you to an employer they’re acquainted with who is looking to hire someone like you.

Try out the industry first as part of the internship

If you have no idea which type of role or industry you wish to work in, jumping into a graduate job isn’t always the best idea. You may instantly regret your decision and feel forced to stay put to prevent unexplainable gaps in your CV.
Internships, on the other hand, are temporary positions that give you a taster of what you can expect before committing to a permanent, full-time job. At the end of an internship, you then have the time and space to determine whether the role is for you and if not, you can try new internships that may interest you more. In some instances, an internship could transform into a full-time role if you make a good impression.

You’ll learn more about yourself

An internship gives you the space and time to learn more about yourself and your capabilities which enables you to make better decisions going forward in your career. It’s no secret that you will be faced with challenges along the way, but this is all part and parcel of your personal development. The benefits of being pushed out of your comfort zone will allow you to find out your strengths and weaknesses and enable you to deal with any difficult situations that are thrown your way.

Find your dream internship today!

If you’re torn between applying for a graduate job or an internship, we hope this guide has given you some helpful advice on which career path is best for you. Here at Inspiring Interns, we have a wide range of internships available in all sectors.