Choosing the Right Internship for You
How to Choose the Right Internship for You
Landing a great internship can be a stressful task for some. College career fairs, multiple applications on LinkedIn and Glassdoor, and the many interviews that take place may seem intimidating at first. However, it is important to remember that not only are you looking for somewhere amazing to intern at, but those companies are also searching for you.
Take as long as you need to find the right internship for you. It may be a grueling process, but internships are extremely important for your future career. Most colleges and universities require at least one internship prior to graduation, and for a good reason.
Why you should apply for an internship
Internships allow you to gain real-world experience that you won’t find in the classroom. With an internship, you will develop a better understanding of your skills and the industry. They allow you to determine what you do and don’t like about a specific job before jumping into a full-time offer. Internships also build confidence. Public speaking, networking, and suggesting new ideas are all skills you will learn in an internship that will help advance your career.
What to consider when looking for an internship
The first thing to consider when looking for an internship is its relevance to your career path. Don’t just choose an internship that sounds exciting, as important as that is, but also look for an internship that involves responsibilities you are interested in pursuing in your future career. Strive to land an internship that provides you with meaningful work. Below are a few more variables you should take into consideration when choosing the best internship for you.
Location
Hours
Networking opportunities
Pay/Compensation
Mentors
Culture and environment
A chance to separate yourself from other interns
Intelligent and motivated people to work with
Structure of the internship and company
The structure of the program is one of the most important things to look for when choosing an internship that fits you. At Parkside, each intern rotates through 4 departments: Bank, Family Office, Trust, and Marketing. This is a great way to experience multiple aspects of the finance industry in one internship.
Finally, choosing between a big or small organization may be difficult, as there are pros and cons to both. Large companies may come with additional brand recognition, are more competitive, and you may struggle to interact with higher-level executives within the company. Smaller organizations, such as Parkside, allow for greater hands on experience. You will be able to truly bond with colleagues, be provided with more interesting work, and you’ll likely have access to more influential contacts. We may be bias, but an internship at Parkside is the best you can find.
