If you’ve still got a semester or two before you graduate, summer is a perfect time to hit the resume checklist and tick off summer internships or vacation programs. These usually last somewhere between 2 and 3 months, and some can be taken on a part-time basis so you still get your fill of the holidays.

Why is it important to do an internship or vacation program? Besides the obvious fact that it adds to your work experience and looks fantastic on your resume, there are other key benefits that come from it.

Transition into a Job

Employers view interns as prospective employees and based on their performance, may offer them a full time position upon completion or a guarantee to the second stage in their graduate program recruitment. They are a great way for you to prove that you are a capable and hardworking employee – just think of it as a REALLY long interview.

Justify your Career choice

University is where you gain all the theoretical know-how and build the knowledge base you need to enter the workforce. But you’re still somewhat in the dark on what it will be like to work in your discipline? Internships and vacation programs are a great way to find out if you feel uncertain about what the right career for you is. They are short-term, so you are able to test your future path without any long-term commitments and find out whether this is the career for you.

Networking Opportunities

Internships and vacation programs are a great way to meet people in your field. Even if you have lots of experience, meeting and networking with more people can’t possibly hurt. An eight-week program gives you the perfect opportunity to meet and impress people who can help you land a job later on or ease you into an industry you’re trying to break into. Plus, references from people in the industry will really add weight to your future applications.

Apply your Knowledge

Think of it as the ‘beta’ test version of full time work. An internship gives you the chance to utilise all the skills you’ve learnt in university lecture halls in a real-world setting. It’s a chance to prove the worth of your qualifications and to show that you can perform the role you are studying toward.

Gain Confidence

Getting experience is a great way to build your confidence. If you have an impressive resume, you will be more confident in your chances of securing a graduate job. During interviews, you’ll be able to demonstrate just how you’ve applied all the theoretical knowledge from your qualification to a practical real-world situation.