Summer may be a time of beaches and sunburns for some, but those cleverenough to understand the competitiveness of today’s job market wouldn’t dream of letting such valuable time go to waste.  An internship is an excellent way to add valuable experience to your resume and give you a first hand, up-front look at the career that you’re planning for. Employers also view internships as a definite plus when looking at the resume of a perspective employee as it shows a dedication and passion for their chosen career path.

Unless you are interning for specific class credits, internships are paid positions according to US labor laws.  These summer positions will more often than not pay only minimum wage, unless they require a volunteer commitment which means no wage. However, the reasoning behind these positions is to gather the all important practical skills needed as well as to make your resume stand above all others who may be vying for the job that you have your eye on. Your dedication and willingness to jump in for reasons other than immediate financial gain will say a lot about what type of employee you will be.

It is also possible that an unpaid or low paid internship could turn into a paid position at the completion of your commitment as they are an excellent way for employers to gauge the work ethic of their next hire.  In today’s competitive job market anything that sets you apart from the masses is a welcome leg up so consider spending your summer doing more than just working on your tan – because it will be well worth your while in the long run.

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