Additionally, many fields, such as engineering, nursing, journalism and social work, require hands-on training – often found in internships – as part of professional preparation.
What I take issue with is the perception that doing as many internships as possible, especially from a young age, is the surest way to success.
It sends a message to young people that constant hustling equals achievement, that their self-worth lies in their productivity, and that the only life skills that matter are those that serve corporate goals.
One of the most common arguments I hear when I question this rush is that internships teach “essential life skills”. That’s why, the logic goes, young people should jump on the bandwagon of stacking internships as early they can.
I’m not convinced. Adaptability, resilience, teamwork and problem-solving don’t belong exclusively to the workplace. These qualities are shaped by a wide range of experiences.
When internships are valued above every other form of learning, it inadvertently creates a hierarchy of experiences.
Caring for a sick grandparent? Not as impressive. Volunteering at an orphanage? Good-hearted, but not “career-worthy”. Pursuing a hobby that requires discipline, dedication and patience? Fun and interesting, but not very practical.
All this is saying is that if something can’t be put on a CV under “Work Experience”, then it doesn’t count.
This is not only untrue, it’s also damaging. It undervalues the lessons learned in family, community and personal pursuits. Worse, young people who are unable to secure internships may feel left behind, as if their other commitments are inferior.
Part-time work, too, gets left out of this conversation.
Compared to a glamorous internship at a multinational company, part-time jobs usually lack prestige. Yet, teens who balance school with roles in industries like food and beverage or retail also learn good work ethic, punctuality and responsibility.
And let’s be honest – not all internships are incubators for learning. Some are glorified coffee runs or barely more than admin support.
SUCCESS SHOULDN’T ONLY MEAN BEING JOB-READY
If the first argument for stacking internships is that they build life skills, the second is that they are a stepping stone to success.
But what do we really mean by “success”?
