As the job market becomes increasingly more competitive, internships have become more valuable ”“ even to veterans of the work force.
A recent survey of 250 advertising and marketing executives explores the key benefits of internship programs, namely experiencing different work environments and improving soft skills.
“Internships often involve learning about yourself, including the type of environment that”™s best suited to your personality,” said Megan Slabinski, executive director of The Creative Group in Stamford, which conducted the survey.
Thirty-one percent of the executives polled said experiencing different work environments is the greatest advantage of participating in internships, aside from pay. Nearly 25 percent cited improving soft skills as the chief benefit.
“Many programs also serve as a crash course in how to get along with various personality types, an ability that can benefit people throughout their careers,” Slabinski said.
She said not all internships are created equal but they are becoming more valued even to those
who are not recent college graduates but are coming out of a different industry.
“The best internships are structured and provide plenty of opportunity to learn and observe,” she said. “While a certain amount of grunt work can be expected, applicants should target programs that provide exposure to a range of projects, people and experiences.”
The Creative Group is a division of Robert Half International Inc., a staffing agency that specializes in placing creative, advertising, marketing, Web and public relations professionals.
