{"id":1073,"date":"2021-10-15T10:19:58","date_gmt":"2021-10-15T17:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogschapman.wpenginepowered.com\/career\/2021\/10\/15\/myth-vs-fact-internships\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T18:50:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T18:50:36","slug":"myth-vs-fact-internships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.chapman.edu\/career\/2021\/10\/15\/myth-vs-fact-internships\/","title":{"rendered":"Myth vs. Fact: Internships"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holidays are coming, the holidays are coming! Which, for many of us, means struggling to artfully avoid conversations about your career and future plans with relatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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While the holidays may still seem far away, they can sneak up on us faster than we can anticipate! Especially when our heads are constantly spinning from classes, balancing on- and off-campus involvement, finding clean and working toilets (yikes, BK first floor), remembering not to wear gray in Orange\u2019s 90+ degree weather, and struggling to snag a parking spot.<\/span><\/p>\n

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To equip you for those long family dinners, here are some myths and facts on internships:<\/span><\/p>\n

MYTH: I need to get an internship my first year in college<\/b><\/h3>\n

It is not expected, but possible if you are interested. We typically see students begin to pursue internships their sophomore year. We feel that the students’ first year should be focused on transitioning to college. Students following the traditional 4-year path have three years to focus on internships, but if they happen to pursue one their first year, more power to them!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FACT: Internships can turn into a full-time job offer<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are many students who start an internship that lands them a full-time job offer for when they graduate. In fact, about 70% of internships turn into full-time jobs.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is because of a few reasons, but the main one is that the internship acts as a \u201ctrial run\u201d for both the student and employer, and if they both provide value to one another, why not hire them full-time?<\/span><\/p>\n

Many companies are starting to do this amid the pandemic as well, so they don\u2019t have to go through the hiring process all over again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

MYTH: I shouldn\u2019t work an unpaid internship\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Unpaid internships are just as <\/span>relevant<\/b> as any other paid experience. While yes, being paid would be nice, the opportunity to gain practical work experience, an increased understanding of and exposure to a given career field, opportunities to transform classroom knowledge into “real-world” application, and the other professional development opportunities we get can be very beneficial. You never know what that opportunity can turn into! Who knows? Maybe you\u2019ll end up with a full-time job offer from doing an unpaid internship, unlike your peer, who didn\u2019t receive one despite doing a paid internship. Many students undermine their experiences; however, remember: internships (paid and unpaid), research, volunteer work, class projects, and other professional experiences are equally as relevant to put on your resume as jobs are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If your internship is unpaid (or paid), we encourage you to <\/span>register your internship for academic credit<\/span><\/a> to help yourself get ahead with your graduation progress.<\/span><\/p>\n

FACT: Internships offer great opportunities for real-world experience and open new doors for you!<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Opportunities can come knocking in a variety of ways! One of those ways is by taking on an internship. We have seen many students receive full-time job offers at the completion of their internship and go on to do amazing things the Chapman community is known for! <\/span><\/p>\n

Not only can an internship further develop interpersonal and technical skills and provide you a wide network of professionals, but it can open doors for you after graduation. Even if you complete your internship well before you intend to graduate, maintain those relationships you create because you never know what might open up in the future! <\/span><\/p>\n

We have seen students develop close relationships with people from their internships that lead to meaningful mentorships and long-lasting friendships. Those types of connections are invaluable and can take you further than just randomly connecting with people on LinkedIn and never talking to them again. <\/span><\/p>\n

Take advantage of your position as a curious, open-minded student and soak up the advice and mentorship professionals are eager to give!<\/span><\/p>\n

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MYTH: I have to choose between working an internship and being a full-time student<\/b><\/h3>\n

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Time management is key. It is definitely possible to do both. Here are some helpful tips to help you manage your time as a full-time student working an internship:<\/span><\/p>\n