When it comes to gaining real-life experience in a career field, nothing surpasses an internship experience. Besides enabling students to explore fields, internships help students clarify their choice of majors. Through internships, students can earn academic credit and learn to build a network of professional contacts, mentors and references, which are valuable for lifelong career goals. Plus, the practical experience students gain gives them a competitive edge in the job market.
Internships also can aid students applying to graduate and professional school programs.
Last summer, Southwestern students interned throughout Texas, the United States and around the world. What follows are several students accounts of their internship experiences, plus helpful internship tips.