There is a huge value that comes with completing an internship in college. While taking courses helps you learn and grow on an academic level, participating in a hands-on environment will help you adapt to the “real world.”
Internships can give you real-world job experience you simply can’t get in the classroom.
Internships can be one of the best ways to get actual experience in your chosen field. Conversely, internships can help you discover if you are really interested in working in that industry or business environment after graduation. How long are internships, exactly? It depends, but usually a couple of weeks up to one year.
You can find both short term and long term internship opportunities. Since some internships are paid, a paid long term internship could feel like a job. Building your reputation and networking along the way may open up more opportunities for you after you graduate.
Internships can take place in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format. You can even do an internship abroad for academic credit! You can complete an internship in Berlin or even Japan while experiencing an international work culture firsthand.
Can an internship last a year?
Yes, an internship can last a year. Participating in a yearlong internship is not as common as participating in a semester long or summer long internship. However, taking your time to really hone your skills at a yearlong internship can offer various benefits.
Additionally, an internship that takes an entire year will give you many more opportunities to network. From your boss to your coworkers to your clients, your network will improve when you work at a job or an internship for a year.
Sometimes long term internships come with some sort of compensation. This could look like tuition assistance, a cash stipend, or even housing/accommodations.
How long are internships usually?
Internships can vary anywhere from two weeks to a few months to one year. The most common and most popular internship formats are short term and semester length. However, long term internships can be great options, especially if the internship you land is paid.
1. Short term
A short term internship usually lasts around two to four weeks. Short term internships can be a great choice if you are looking to job shadow and explore the possibilities of working in a certain industry.
Usually, short term internships are too short to be paid. They’re also typically not long enough for you to earn academic credit. Additionally, having a short term internship listed on your resume may not necessarily look as good as a longer internship—it does not show commitment or dedication to a job because you were only there for a few weeks.
2. Semester length
Ready to trade textbooks and note-taking for hands-on learning at an internship abroad? We thought so!
Semester length internship programs generally follow the academic school year. For instance, summer internships may last the full length of the summer term (about 10 to 12 weeks). Summer is the most popular time for students to complete an internship because their class load is usually light.
Furthermore, fall and spring semester internships usually last about 14 to 15 weeks, depending on the academic schedule of the student. Semester long internships show dedication and exceptional time management skills because students balance their classes, maybe a job, and the internship at the same time.
Semester long internships are the most common and most popular for students. They look great on a resume, and they work well for students who would like to complete an internship abroad.
3. Long term
Long internships last anywhere from six months to one year. Completing a long term internship shows dedication, a great work ethic, and a willingness to learn. While doing a long term internship may seem daunting, it looks fantastic on a resume and can open many doors for you.
Make sure you know if you can miss out on work while doing a long term internship. It may be difficult to accept an unpaid long term internship if the only benefit you are receiving is academic credit. Make sure to try and look for paid positions if you do a long term internship.
10 pros of a long term internship
Apply for a long term internship and get ready to develop skills that will boost your career.
1. It looks great on a resume
Working at a company for a year looks great on your resume. It counts as real professional experience that shows you’re reliable and responsible. Some students and young professionals may be worried that a year-long internship may actually look bad to employers, but this often isn’t the case. A demonstrated ability to remain at the same company for a year is a sough-after quality.
2. It shows commitment
As mentioned, sticking it out and lasting an entire year shows commitment and dedication. While employers like seeing this (as they usually want to retain their trained staff and hires), it’s also a great feat in terms of personal growth. Knowing that you can commit to something for an entire year (or close to it) can inform your next steps, either professionally or personally.
3. You’ll learn a lot
Going through an entire year’s work cycle will allow you to learn, see, observe, and do a lot. You’ll see the ins and outs of how business gets done, or how organizations in your field operate day-to-day. This is an invaluable experience that can help you decide if this is really the career for you, and how to adjust if not.
4. Networking opportunities!
You’ll have countless networking opportunities when you spend up to a year with the same organization. Fellow employees, other interns, clients, customers, guests, and so on are connections that may help you in your career down the line.
5. You can gain mentorship
Sometimes, employers are willing to be mentors to their interns. If you’re sure this is the field for you, a mentor is an invaluable connection for advancing quickly. Gaining a mentor allows unique professional development opportunities and easier connections to other people and business operations.
6. Make money while earning college credit
If you have the opportunity to snag a paid long term internship, you’ll effectively be paid to earn college credit. Paid internships are essential for making a living while in college (and as such, they’re becoming easier to find now). Especially with long term internships, you may be able to pay for necessities while also earning college credit. And if you don’t need college credit, it still allows you the opportunity to pay for living expenses and add to your savings.
7. Graduate on time with professional experience
Speaking of academic credit, with long term internships, you may be able to save time because you are working instead of sitting still in an in-person class. Long term internships allow you to spend your time wisely pursuing your academics while you advance your career simultaneously.
8. Learn new skills
Long term internships allow more opportunities to learn more skills, and allow you to hone in on the ones that either appeal to you the most, or that will benefit your professional life the most. While some students are sitting inside a classroom, you could be in a professional workplace learning how to do a sales pitch.
9. It can set you up for full time employment
Remember those countless networking opportunities? A long term internship with allow you more chances to connect with people who work at the company or organization you’re interning for, giving you a better chance of getting hired after graduating!
10. Have an adventure!
If you do your internship abroad, you will be able to fully immerse yourself in another country’s work culture. Work with people from all over the world and see the differences between their work culture and your own. Completing an internship in general is an invaluable experience, but on top of that, you’ll gain international work experience by interning abroad long term.
5 disadvantages of a long term internship
You’ll want to consider your budget before you commit to a long term, unpaid internship.
1. Expenses and cost of living
Taking an internship abroad for a year (or even at home) can get really expensive. This is especially true if you are not getting paid or have no income coming in at all. Think long and hard and consider your budget before you commit to a long term internship abroad.
2. Non-transferable credit
Academic credit for internships may not carry over at your institution. Before accepting the position, make sure you can receive credit for your time at your internship if you’re going to need it in order to graduate.
3. You might not like the work
You may not like the work you’re doing after all. You may decide early into your internship that you changed your mind about working in that particular field, and that’s okay. Depending on the terms of your contract, this can get a little messy if you want to leave early. Make sure you have a way of dealing with this type of conflict.
4. Lack of time and energy
Long term internships can really suck up a lot of your time and energy, especially if you’re simultaneously taking classes or working a paid job in order to support yourself. In these cases, make sure you make time to check in with yourself (and your supervisor) often in order to mitigate the risks of burn out.
5. Incompatibility with colleagues
You may not enjoy working with your boss or colleagues—it happens! This could lead to frustration at work, especially since you have committed to a year or longer working with them. This can be a bummer, but it’s important to remember that learning to work with different people and personalities makes you stronger professionally and personally.
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A long term internship can give you time to build skills and a network!
Your internship may turn out to be a life-changing experience that jump-starts your career.
Short term and semester length internship programs are the most popular options students use to complete an internship, either abroad or at home. Because of this, doing a long term internship will make you and your resume stand out.
Aside from this, you get to meet and engage with more people while expanding your network. You will learn skills and techniques that will help you become more employable after graduation. So give it a try and start looking for a long term internship now!
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