Internship is a first experience and a great way to get practical exposure in the real world. Learning by doing is more valuable than learning through textbooks. Due to the ever-rising competition in every field, it is therefore, even better to let students have the work exposure soon after high-school. Unfortunately, this trend is not so prevalent in India but parents, teachers, academicians, and society are encouraging internships after high-school and the trend is soon picking-up in the society.

It is important to understand the worth of Internships after the 12th grade. Students today have the opportunity to choose from a wide array of subjects early in the 9th grade. They are given varied subject choices as per their interest, so that they can figure out early which academic discipline they want to pursue in life. In the same way, Internships after high-school gives students the opportunity to apply classroom teaching in real-life, in other words, to put theory into practice. It helps them gain knowledge about how an industry works and what is expected from individuals in the real-world.

Some parents are of the view that it is not necessary to expose children to work at such a young age and kill their adolescence and youth. They have the whole life to work, why let them face the harsh world at such a young age? After all, they have just passed school and don’t even have a driver’s license! Parents think this is an over skill and might be inappropriate at such a critical age.

But it’s important to understand that when we encourage children to choose academic subjects as per their interests or participate in extracurricular activities, why to take a back step when it comes to gaining that first-hand learning experience after high-school? Why to stop children from having a glimpse of the professional world? Internships not only give children the real-world experience, it also helps them understand the value of money and the significance of hard-work. So, in a way, they realise the value of work and its monetary benefits. They also understand their parents’ hardships in bringing them up.

Internship is an experience and not a full-time job. It helps children in gaining knowledge and work experience. A real-time learning experience during the academic summer or winter break is the right time for students to go for internship opportunities. Internships after 12th for students have a lot of benefits and advantages, and hence its significance cannot be ignored. Internships after 12th has several advantages for students -

• It makes them competition ready and step out of their fantasy world
• It aids them in choosing an academic discipline in their graduation and opt for majors with more clarity
• It instils in children the sense of time as well as responsibility and accountability
• It helps them in understanding their competency levels – where they stand
• It helps them set a career goal and paves the way to attain it
• It helps students in developing additional skills and education
• It helps in standing out amongst other competitive college applicants
• It develops networking opportunities and mentorship
• It improves decision-making skills, inter-personal skills and develops leadership qualities
• It increases student’s confidence to walk alone in the world
• It motivates them to do better in life

Last but not the least, whether an internship is paid or unpaid is another story but guess what is the most interesting part – “It is the first reference or letter of recommendation.” It really boosts a student’s confidence and motivation level. And as they say, “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.”

Thakur International School (IGCSE & A Levels), Mumbai is one such school that not only motivates its students but also prepares and makes them competition ready. Check out the school website for their academically rich curriculum. Admissions are also open for AY 2021-2022.