General Information: Internships are very common in the United States.
Often, internships allow students to gain experience in a field in which they
hope to eventually have a professional career in. Companies
offer internships for several reasons, but a primary
advantage is that an internship position is normally non-paid or offered at a
very low pay. The time-period is also normally limited. Interpositions provide
companies with individuals who are highly motivated to work hard at low or no
cost. Interning organizations range from corporations, law firms, government
agencies to interest groups, museums and hospitals. The statistics show a
growing trend: 86 percent of college students had completed an internship in
2000 compared to 36 percent in the 1980s.
Internships are primarily offered to individuals with limited work experience,
as a way
to gain job skills. Internships are not considered a regular paying job, but
could often result in a paid position. From an individual perspective
internships provide opportunities to work for companies that one would not
normally be able to apply for due to limited work experience. The hard work that
is required can pay off very well if the company decides to hire the individual on a
permanent basis after the internship period is over. Moreover, a completed internship
looks attractive to prospective employers, and is great to indicate on a CV or
resume.
Thousands of interns work in a wide variety of fields both in the United States
and internationally.
Whether an internship leads to a permanent job with the same company or not, the
practical and hands on work experience will most likely make it easier to obtain future
employment. Although, due to a competitive market, most companies now pay interns, there are still some companies
that do not. It is recommended to choose your internship according to your
career goals and not immediate benefits and salary.
"How to Get an Internship in the United States Information Guide" includes:
- An overview of internships programs available in the United States
- How to choose the internships that is right for you
- Searching for an internship
- How to apply for the internship
- Writing a good resume and cover letter
- How to prepare for the interview
- How to make the most out of your internship
- Employment opportunities after the internship is completed
- List of hundreds of companies and organizations offering internships
Internships are available in the following fields:
- Professional, Scientific and Technical services
- Health Care and Social Services
- IT (Information Technology)
- Banking and Finance
- Insurance services
- Educational services
- Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
- Government and Public Administration
- Real Estate
- Retail and Customer Service
- Manufacturing
- Administration and Support Services
- Travel, Hospitality and Food Services
- Social Services
- And several other fields
