Should You Consider an Internship After Graduation?

Although it’s most common to take an internship while you’re still a student, there’s nothing to stop you from searching for opportunities after you graduate. You may decide to do this if you missed out on taking an internship while you were still a student. Alternatively, you may decide the career you initially wanted to pursue isn’t for you and want to gain experience or try out working in a different field. Although there are advantages to taking an internship after graduation, there are also some downsides you need to consider to determine if this is a suitable option for you. Here are some pros and cons worth thinking about.

Pro: Internships Are Always Valuable

Internships provide opportunities you won’t receive from permanent positions: they allow you to see what a career would be like in a particular field before you commit to a job. In addition, you’ll have the chance to be involved in a variety of different projects, which will help you figure out what you enjoy doing — and what you may prefer to avoid.

Con: You’ll Earn Less

Once you graduate, you have the chance to apply to jobs that require a degree. This usually comes with higher pay, which could be important if you need to support yourself and start paying off student loans. Internships tend to offer considerably lower pay — possibly not enough to cover all your expenses.

Pro: You’ll Make Useful Contacts

If the employer is impressed with your performance, an internship may lead to an offer for a full-time job at the company. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll meet many people who may be able to introduce you to other employers and opportunities.

Con: It Could Be a Waste of Time

Most internships last between eight to 12 weeks. This is a long amount of time to commit to. It’s important to consider whether an internship is the only way to gain the experience you need or if it would be better to go straight into a permanent position. If your main concern is contacts to find the kind of job you want, attend networking events and job fairs or reach out to people like your professors and classmates to gain the connections you need.

Pro: You’ll Gain Experience

Employers want to see you have some kind of experience relevant to the role. You’ll develop a range of skills during an internship that you won’t learn from your studies alone. An internship could encourage an employer to consider your resume — it could even help you to land something higher than an entry-level job.

Many students search for internships near where they are currently studying. If you apply sooner rather than later, it may even be possible to start the internship while you’re still attending classes. If your internship will continue after you graduate, you’ll need to find somewhere to live. An alternative to University of Waterloo housing is King Street Towers. Since all our leases are for 12 months, you’ll be living with other students and recent graduates. Contact us to secure the floor plan you want.