Internships
Want a Higher Paying First Job?

According a recent survey of companies looking to hire entry-level college graduates, 49 percent of employers stated they offer higher salaries to new college graduates with internship experience. Employers are placing more value on students who come into the work force with industry specific skills beyond the classroom.

Why are students receiving higher starting salaries as a result of completing an internship? According to the National Association of College and Employers (NACE), employers found that students without internship experience "have unrealistic views of work, lack maturity and work ethic, lack commitment to the organization, and possess less awareness of business etiquette”.

How do students find quality internships? The most traditional starting point for an internship search is at a local University Career Center. Career Centers are a great place to establish career objectives, research industry specific careers, network with alumni, and access select local employers.

As students look for ways to differentiate themselves from their classmates as the job market becomes more competitive, they are beginning to pursue other methods of attaining internships through utilizing fee-based internship programs.

The pressure is on students to differentiate themselves to employers now more than ever. As internships continue to directly impact starting salaries, competition will only pick up as students further utilize their summers to gain a competitive advantage through the experience of an internship.

Editorial provided by Eric P. Normington, from the University of Dreams, Los Gatos, CA.