Why Do An Internship?

Internships can provide an individual interested in pursuing a career in the arts with the tools and practical training one may need to land that job of interest, or even enhance ones art making. If you are a student or recent grad, creative on-the-job training is an excellent way to supplement that “ivory tower” learning that can also provide an advantage when applying for new jobs.

By learning the nuts and bolts of a profession you’ll get a better idea of where you fit in, what you need to learn and what specific types of projects you like to work on as a creative professional.

Three Reasons to Do an Internship

1. If you are a college student you may be able to receive academic credit for the time that you participate in the internship. Discuss this both with the organization and your teacher prior to application.
2. With more and more people doing internships, employers are coming to expect to see them listed on the resumes of potential employees.
3. Internships often turn into job offers. All the more reason to do an internship and to take the job very seriously – it is the first impression you make on who may be a future employer.
4. An internship is a great way to get an inside glimpse of a company, an industry, and a particular occupation. It can help you discover if the career you are considering is right (or wrong) for you.

Two Reasons Not to Do an Internship

1. Internships either pay very little or nothing at all. If you absolutely have to earn money, you may decide against doing one.
2. Internships sometimes involve performing menial tasks.

How to Find an Internship

• Visit Your College Career Center: If you are currently attending college, your career center may be a good resource for finding internships.
• Use Internship Databases: Congratulation! The fact that you are reading this article means that you have located one of the largest resources for art based internships in the world.

How to Evaluate an Internship Setting

• Read the Internship Description: While many internships exist to nurture budding professionals, there are others which serve only to provide the employer with cheap (or free) labor. Make sure you are going to get what you need out of an internship.
• Research the Organization: Learn as much about the internship site as possible. This will not only help you decide whether a setting is a good one, but it will also make you a more knowledgeable interviewee.
• Talk to Former Interns: You will want to hear about the experiences of those who went before you. Talk to students who have interned at the site in which you are interested. Talk to your college’s internship coordinator who may have kept a record of interns’ feedback or can provide you with the names of former interns.