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What is an internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Christopher Gehrz Ph.D.,
Kathleen O'Keefe
introduction image

An internship is an opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in a profession. It typically involves working for a company or organization for a set period of time, usually a few months, while receiving guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals. Internships can help individuals develop skills, build networks, and gain valuable insight into their chosen field. They may also provide opportunities for future employment or serve as a professional or educational stepping stone.

What general advice would you give to an Internship?

Christopher Gehrz Ph.D.Christopher Gehrz Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor and Chair, Bethel University

First, be sure to sustain the life of the mind. You're no longer a college student, but you're still a learner, so you need to keep exercising those muscles. And you won't have people like me giving lectures or assigning books anymore, so you need to find your own ways to nourish your interests, sustain your passions, challenge your assumptions, and enhance your understanding.

Second, keep in touch with your college professors. Not only might you need to ask people like me for recommendations at some point down the road, but in turn, you can provide something to your alma mater more immediately meaningful than donations: helping us answer questions like these from newer students wondering how they'll connect their studies with their careers. (For example, I keep a list of several dozen alumni in various fields who have told me they'd be willing to be interviewed by first-year students wondering what they can do with a History major.)
ScoreInternshipUS Average
Salary
2.8

Avg. Salary $35,254

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
6.6

Growth rate -5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.7
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.97%

Asian 10.31%

Black or African American 9.83%

Hispanic or Latino 18.12%

Unknown 4.69%

White 56.09%

Gender

female 57.98%

male 42.02%

Age - 50
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 50
Stress level
6.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
4.3

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an internship?

Pros

  • Opportunity to network with professionals

  • Chance to explore your career interests

  • Possible college credit or stipend

  • Learn new skills and techniques

  • Potential for a job offer after the internship

Cons

  • Unpaid or low-paying internships

  • Possible menial tasks or busywork

  • Limited opportunities for advancement

  • May not provide a direct path to future employment

  • Can be competitive and difficult to secure

Internship career paths

Key steps to become an internship

  1. Explore internship education requirements

    Most common internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    67.9 %

    Associate

    12.4 %

    Master's

    8.0 %

  2. Start to develop specific internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    PowerPoint10.46%
    Financial Statements5.51%
    C++5.29%
    Mental Health4.81%
    Data Analysis4.25%
    Show more

  3. Complete relevant internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real internship resumes.

  4. Gain additional internship certifications

    Internship certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific internship certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for interns include Certified Medical Interpreter - Spanish (CMI) and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (NHA).

    More About Certifications

  5. Research internship duties and responsibilities

    • Lead enrollment process efficiently through securing proper registration forms, official transcripts, immunization records, and IEP documentation as needed.
    • Manage all company financial transactions through QuickBooks.
    • Design PHP application to automate schedule updating process.
    • Manage a web-base graphical interface that utilize a SQL database to better track fabrication lab operations.

  6. Prepare your internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable internship resume templates

    Build a professional internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your internship resume.
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  7. Apply for internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for an internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first internship job

Zippi

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Average internship salary

The average internship salary in the United States is $35,254 per year or $17 per hour. Internship salaries range between $24,000 and $49,000 per year.

Average Internship Salary
$35,254 Yearly
$16.95 hourly
More internship salary info

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Internship FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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