Project based internships seem to work out well for employers and interns alike – cutting down on costs and boosting the value of the experience. Does the action-packed gig have the same to offer that a traditional internship program provides? Would you prefer to work for an entire term or focus your efforts and energy on a specific project?

Ideally, a project based internship would reduce conflicts with exams and academic scheduling while providing the candidate guaranteed real-world work experience. That experience not only looks great on a resume, but provides the proper on-the-job training required by many employers today – in a shorter period of time. As more and more employers are pressured into offering only paid internships, project-based gigs might also prove to be a better alternative to ridding of programs entirely.

Also read: #CareerHacks of the Week

The project-based gigs certainly have cons. Limiting the amount of time interacting with co-workers and other professionals may hinder the ability to build a large professional network. This setback is countered by building lasting relationships with internship advisors, and making it a point to follow up in the future. Moreover, the fewer days on-the-job might take away from lessons learned “by doing” such as interacting with coworkers, standard day to day operations, and similar aspects of the professional learning experience. 

As I debate the topic internally, I would love to hear your feedback @SINevents @ZackHuhn

Don’t forget to complete your free Student Intern Network member profile to stay connected with awesome employers & opportunties!