4 reasons why a summer internship is the answer

In the current job market, work experience has never been more important. What better time to take the first step on the career ladder than as an undergraduate. It doesn’t have to be all work and no play. Those long summer months provide plenty of time to party, holiday and gain valuable work experience. If you understand the day-to-day running of a business, from the well-established to a championed start-up, it will set you apart from other candidates when it comes to applying for graduate jobs. First or second year students, it’s okay if you are still unsure about what you want to do when you leave university. An internship can ease the graduate decision-making process, whether you intern in an industry that you end up loving or you realise something is not for you. An internship in recruitment is a great place to start. Here’s why:

Gain career insight

• Working in recruitment requires an understanding of different industries, the types of jobs available and the knowledge and skillset required for each role. Aside from helping others land their dream job, the insight you acquire from recruiting could help you make your own career decisions. Working at a recruitment agency will open your eyes to job opportunities that perhaps you didn’t think you were qualified for or hadn’t previously considered.

Meet Miles! He loved his summer internship last year….

Boost employability

• Participating in a paid summer internship programme is an excellent opportunity to gain highly transferable skills that will significantly increase your future employability prospects. Employers want proactive candidates, and having meaningful summer employment under your belt looks great on your CV.

Develop epic communication skills

• A key skill in recruiting and business development is communication. Confidence and a knack for being able to talk to people face-to-face, via email or over the phone. The network of professional contacts you build up through this constant communication may prove very useful when it comes to seeking future employment. Life after graduation is a scary thought, but take on an internship as an undergraduate and the people you meet and connections you make could offer you a role after university or put you in touch with others who can.

“With a higher level of competition for each graduate role, a student with proven work experience in a relevant sector and demonstrable graduate-level skills will be more equipped to secure employment after graduation.”

Belinda Price, Internships Officer at Kings College London

Recruitment is a booming industry

• The recruitment industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in global business and is reported to be worth £24 billion in the UK alone. Individuals with the passion and energy to succeed in a dynamic, results focused environment succeed in recruitment. If this is you, apply today for this summer 2015 placement with established international company APSCo. Applications now open.

Katie is a digital marketing executive at Inspiring. A dancer, sport and health & fitness enthusiast, she likes to move, tweet and blog.