The Problem With Internships

Internships are a crucial aspect of professional development and career exploration. They provide students and young professionals with hands-on experience in their chosen field, exposure to industry professionals, and a chance to develop valuable skills and knowledge. However, the timing of these opportunities is often too late in the process, coming only after a person has already chosen a field of study. This can lead to a less informed decision and limit one's career potential.

For students who are still figuring out their career path, internships provide a valuable opportunity to explore different industries and gain a better understanding of the day-to-day responsibilities and tasks associated with various careers. But if these experiences come only after a student has already declared their major, they may be missing out on the chance to make a more informed decision. By the time an internship rolls around, it may be too late to change direction, and a student may be locked into a field that may not align with their skills, interests, or goals.

The late timing of internships can also be problematic for those who have already chosen a career path. If an internship is the first exposure to a field, it may be difficult to fully grasp the challenges and responsibilities that come with the job. This can lead to disappointment and a lack of motivation to continue in the field, ultimately hurting one's career potential.

Early internships, on the other hand, can provide students with the opportunity to try out different careers and gain valuable experience before committing to a specific field. This can lead to a more informed decision, increased job satisfaction, and a better chance of success in their chosen career.

Although early internships are invaluable, another problem arises. Most internships are reserved for college students, or college graduates. So, although early exposure to your student's interest through an internship is ideal, it is not very likely. This is where a MyTurnShip would come in handy.

A MyTurnShip can begin as early as middle school, and can be experienced multiple times before making career or college choices. MyTurnShips don't have to be dependent on companies providing opportunities to expose your student to their interest. Instead, those exposures can be obtained through other just-as-effective means. Imagine a short-term MyTurnShip that exposes your student to one of their interest the summer of their freshman year of high school. Then another short-term MyTurnShip experience during two week holiday in December. Need more exposure? No problem! Just spin up another MyTurnShip!

Summarily, internships are an important aspect of professional development and career exploration, but their timing is often too late in the process. By offering early MyTurnShips, students and young professionals can gain valuable experience, make more informed decisions, and increase their chances of success in their chosen field. It is crucial for families and education institutions to prioritize early MyTurnShips in order to provide students with the opportunity to explore different career paths and gain a better understanding of the industries they are interested in. That's what we call career clarity.

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