Are Summer Internships Worth It?
Summer internships – specifically, unpaid internships – offer benefits and drawbacks. Are you a teen who is considering taking on an unpaid internship? Are you the parent of a teen who is thinking about doing an internship? As you consider what is best to do, here are some pros and cons to keep in mind and consider whether or not summer internships are worth it.
1. Pros
Here are some of the positive aspects of an unpaid internship this summer.
-Testing the Waters
As a teen, you may be pretty sure you know what you want to do for a living, or you may not have any idea. Or maybe you are a teen who has lots of interests and you’re having trouble knowing which interest to focus on for a career. An unpaid internship allows you to explore various career options and find out what certain careers look like. You may think you want to be a lawyer, for instance; doing an internship might inspire you even more to go into that field, or it may reveal things about that career that you know won’t work for you.
-Networking
The importance of connections in your chosen field can not be overemphasized. So many jobs are obtained through word of mouth, or because you know someone (who knows someone…). An internship establishes you as a viable participant in your field, and it will put your name into the consciousness of that career. The more people you know in your chosen field (and the better a reputation you have), the more opportunities will present themselves in the future.
-Advice
Learning from others is probably the best way to decide whether a job is right for you. You can learn tips and tricks in your field of interest by working and hobnobbing with people who are successful in that field. People “in the know” can give you excellent advice and success tips.
2. Cons
There are downsides to taking on an unpaid internship. Here are some to consider.
-No Money
It’s obvious, of course, but it’s an important con to put out on the table. The money you may make from your internship is locked up in the future, and may not come to fruition. So you’ll have to do something else to earn money this summer or go without.
Another money-related con – you may have some expenses when you do an internship. Gas and food are minimal expenses; you may also have to pay for lodging.
-Hard Work
Let’s face it – internships involve hard work. This is not necessarily a con, but it’s something potentially negative to consider since you won’t be getting paid for that hard work.