The internship rat race has made headlines again recently, with reports of students completing multiple internships during their studies—some undertaking as many as ten internships within a four-year span. So, how many internships do you really need to do?
We polled some students and here’s what we found out:
Undoubtedly, internships are key in bridging the gap between school and the workplace. Internships also offer students an avenue to hone job-relevant skills, explore various career pathways to better map out their future career preparations, connect with like-minded individuals and engage work mentors. An intern who performs well may even be offered a full-time conversion, securing a head start in their career during an uncertain global economic outlook.
Note that it is not the quantity but the quality of the experience that matters. An internship should be an experiential learning opportunity to develop relevant transferable skills while seeking clarity on your future career aspirations. It should not be a numbers game where one simply stacks internships for the sake of having an “impressively long” resume.
Be purposeful in choosing internships that will help you develop skills and knowledge aligned with your future career aspirations,
rather than focusing solely on big organisations or lucrative opportunities. Employers want to know how you have applied relevant skills to achieve results and create value, not just your good grades or the prestige of the organisations where you have interned.
Employers have raised concerns about candidates who completed multiple internships in different roles and industries as this may signal a lack of clarity in their career path or uncertainty about their professional goals and personal values. Such candidates are perceived to be at a higher risk of leaving the job after a short tenure if the role does not align with their career values.
Be progressive when pursuing multiple internships. Focus on gaining depth rather than breadth in your skill development to build competence. Reflect on how your previous internships could have been better and identify what you would do differently to continually enhance your skills. Choose internships strategically, ensuring they contribute to your ongoing development. Employers value students who gain significant experience in related fields, as it shows a strong commitment and a willingness to push themselves toward expertise in a specific domain.
One final tip to succeed in your internship:
Your attitude matters. Be present at the workplace by actively engaging and interacting with your colleagues. Proactively learn and share knowledge instead of just clocking in for attendance. It is what you do with your internships rather than what they do for you that matters in empowering yourself to be successful.
Benn Goh
Career Coach, NTU Career & Attachment Office
