Benefits of an Internship

March 30, 2026

An internship is a hands-on way to learn new skills at a company or organization rather than in a classroom. Internships are a great opportunity for high school students, recent high school graduates, college students, and even adults looking to explore a career change.

Completing an internship can expose you to the workplace, letting you see what really goes on in a certain industry, which is helpful information as you consider various careers. It can help you understand whether the field or industry you would like to work in is the right path for you. This can help you avoid the costs of obtaining a degree or specific training in a field that is not a good fit for you or that you are not interested in.

In addition to gaining valuable work experience, an internship helps improve your soft skills. You will advance your self-confidence, email and phone etiquette, and your awareness of a workplace. You also get the opportunity to get valuable professional feedback from people who work in the field. These skills are highly sought after by employers today.

Just like a job, you must go through an application process to get an internship. Applying and interviewing for internships enhances your job application and interviewing skills, which will be helpful when you apply for a job. An internship on a résumé differentiates you from other job seekers and makes you more competitive.

Internships are temporary. They can last from a few weeks to a few months, with varying work hours. However, they can lead to long-term benefits, such as job opportunities in the company and increased knowledge about the industry. In addition, your supervisor and colleagues can be a reference for job applications, college applications, or even scholarship applications.

While some internships are unpaid, completing an internship can benefit your career path.

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This article is from the Oregon Careers magazine. Oregon Careers publications are aimed at the career planning needs of students. They contain information about how to select and prepare for a career. 

Oregon Careers 2026 is currently available in English and Spanish. Order print magazines for your classroom today.

An activity guide for using Oregon Careers 2026 in the classroom is also in the Careers box at www.QualityInfo.org/pubs.

Topics covered in Oregon Careers 2026 include career planning and preparation, education beyond high school, and job search and resume creation. It also includes a career guide and additional resources.