To Intern, or Not To Intern

Is it better to intern or take extra classes during my freshman and sophomore years?

Answer

It’s always better to have an internship because they give you the opportunity to succeed and impress, and potentially get further internship offers which lead to full-time jobs.  Sometimes the best internship will teach you that you don’t want that particular field after all.  That realization alone is golden.  I would recommend taking extra classes only when you cannot find an internship.  And, should an internship not come your way, you could always do a volunteer project for a small company and list that on your resume.  Again, that is a great learning opportunity.

Connie Thanasoulis is co-founder of SixFigureStart, a career-coaching firm that provides expert guidance to ensure success early in a young professional's career. She comes from 25 years of experience with Fortune 500 companies, including Merrill Lynch, Pfizer, and Citigroup.

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