Get a job!
This is likely the first thing you hear you should do when you get out of college, right? Well, to get that first job you will probably need some job experience because 64% of employers prefer to hire candidates with work experience. This statistic was among some important information I learned about at an internship and co-op session I recently attended.
Co-ops and internships are an integral part of experiential education, in which people gain education through work experience. People get hands-on experience and networking opportunities by working for a company for a short period of time. These opportunities are important, as companies often use these programs to decide who they want for more internships or full-time jobs. In fact, 73% of employers made full-time job offers to interns, and 78% of employers say the primary goal of their internship opportunities is to convert interns into full-time workers.
The first step for a college student to make contact with these companies is often through externship or leadership programs. These usually last anywhere from one day to three weeks, and consist of workshops in professional development and networking. They are often available to sophomores and freshmen, as a way to form relationships with companies.
Co-ops are offered to second-semester sophomores, juniors, and first semester seniors. They are full-time paid positions that last about six months, which offer students the opportunity to test out possible job positions on a full-time basis. They are usually taken in the fall and spring. Villanova, for example, has co-op programs with the Delaware County district attorney and Morgan Stanley.
At Villanova, there are several types of internships for business students. The first are internships for academic credit. These are approved by departments, and provide three free elective credits upon completion. They are intended for students who are sophomores and above, and can be completed during the semester or during the summer. During the semester, they are completed as an additional course and students work between twelve and fifteen hours per week. During the summer, students must work for a minimum of eight weeks. Spring accounting internships offer junior accounting students the opportunity to work for three months in a full-time paid position in the field of accounting. Students get six free elective credits, and they can also complete distance learning courses online, so they can still take classes. This internship shows students what it is like to work in the accounting field during the busiest season. The last type of internship is international internships. These are paired with a study abroad opportunity, and give students the chance to learn about business in other countries and the people of other countries.
As you can see, there is a sea full of opportunity waiting ahead for those who take advantage. Now go out into the world and take the next step to finding a job!
If you would like to attend a Villanova Internship and Co-op Session visit the link below to see the date of the next one.
Backpack to Briefcase 