Writing Question:
With the aims to give students hands-on experience and a chance to explore their vocational choices, your school has joined the Project WeCan Job Tasting Programme (internship), which allows students to work in sizable companies during summer vacation. Students are required to go through normal application procedures and are assigned to mentors in their respective work places.
Your class teacher has asked you to write an article for the school magazine outlining why students should participate in an internship.
The Importance of Internships
Growing up in school, students are constantly reminded that a university graduates is necessary to make a decent salary. Over the years, it has become evident to many young adults that this statement is indeed true. However, as the need for jobs increases, so does the necessity of being more competitive in a work field. Since our generation has grown up knowing that graduating from university is a necessity, university graduates is no longer enough to be competitive in the job market. Therefore, our generation has given birth to a new requirement to find the right job after graduation. This requirement is known as an internship.
Despite the fact that not many internship programs pay their students, an internship is an essential element for a student’s career in today’s society. The skills and opportunities attained after having participated in an internship program definitely outweigh any downside to any part of the program. University is a place where students become prepared for many aspects of life. Pastor Ricky Torres made the following statement on night bus once: “You must be ready for moments in your life where preparation and opportunity cross paths. If you’re not prepared, you will miss great opportunities that only come by once.” One aspect in life which must be well prepared is networking. The more contacts a person has, the higher the chances of that person getting what he needs. “Internships are a resource and the ultimate social network.”. “Internships are mutual beneficial relationships.”
The intern gets an opportunity to look into the real world pertaining to his career, while the employer gets a chance to look for the brightest and hardest working members in the program. Many times in life, it doesn't necessarily come down to “how much you know” but “who you know”. Internships provide the chance to get to know many important people in the area that best interest a student.
Most internships equip members with necessary experience in their field of study. “The dilemma new graduates most often face is that they’ve got fine academic training but no hard experience.” Employers usually look for applicants who have hands-on experience. When very few people are willing to take the risk of hiring a complete rookie, internship programs are designed for this matter. Internships provide students with great experience and references to add to their resumes. Graduates are also able to add themselves to a real work force without having to engage in commitment with a company or an employer. That itself is enough to relieve unnecessary stress on anyone! Not only are these programs beneficial for interns, but for employers as well.
Internships are indeed excellent and rewarding ways to gain hands-on experience. Interns have the opportunity to meet and network with many people who will provide help and references along their career. Although internship programs may not always pay their students, today’s competitive work force demands graduate to be highly equipped for their work field. The skills and opportunities attained from an internship program are innumerable. Great opportunities for success are definitely available, the question is: “How competitive do graduates want to be?”.
4A CHENG HO YIN