1. To gain experience- You will gain knowledge, insight and understanding of what it means to be in the working field/professional settings.
2. To have a better understanding-Work-Based Learning allows you to take time to understand your role, tasks and the industry. Industry partners want you to leave knowing more than you came with, and this is most likely the outcome.
3. To have the opportunity to learn and watch-You can learn from the best during Work-Based Learning experiences. People will be watching over you and working closely with you on projects so that you have someone to look up to and a goal to work towards.
4. To gain the ability to put new things into practice-You can try out new skills and tools without the pressure of being wrong. Work-Based Learning is a time to experiment, and people who hire you for that internship know that.
5. To build confidence-Whether it be public speaking, giving presentations or simply suggesting new ideas, internships will build your confidence which allows you to grow as both a worker and a person. Confidence is key because if you don’t believe in yourself…who will?
6. To get a feel for different industries-Work-Based Learning experiences are usually for several months over a semester. This allows you to get a feel for different industries in a small period of time. You also pick up a wider variety of skills when working in different industries which can make you more attractive to employers and hiring managers!
7. To communicate-Work-Based Learning requires you to both work individually and within a team. You learn to communicate in new ways to build professional working relationships with people of all ages. This is great because it allows you to be open to other people's ideas and to get creative in a team in order to build better ideas and ultimately, to build a better company.