From College Student to Confident Professional

According to the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) there are several High Impact Practices (HIPs) that have been proven to enhance students’ experience. As part of our commitment to Professional U, Commonwealth University (CU) is proud to deliver on our promise to our students by employing a myriad of these HIPs to actively engage and enhance their learning, personal development, and future success.

For instance, internships have proven invaluable to our students’ education at CU. Students who participate in internships are twice as likely to have a job offer in their chosen field at the time of graduation – or even before. Beyond better career launch/employability prospects, internships provide incredibly valuable benefits such as: 

Practical Experience: Internships provide hands-on experience in a real-world work environment. While classroom learning is essential for building foundational knowledge, internships allow students to apply course work material to actual tasks, problems, and projects in their field of study. 

Personal and Professional Growth: Internships help students develop a wide range of transferable skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:

• Technical Skills: Depending on the field, students can gain experience with specific tools, software, or equipment used in their industry.
• Soft Skills: Interns can improve their communication, teamwork, time management, problem-solving, and adaptability—skills that are important in any professional setting.
• Workplace etiquette: Internships help students learn the ins and outs of professional environments.
• Developing professionalism: Internships help students develop professional etiquette, workplace ethics, and time management skills.
• Building confidence: Successfully completing an internship can boost a student's confidence in their abilities and prepare them for future challenges.

Internships are a pivotal part of an undergraduate student’s education, offering invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth. By providing real-world experience, skill development, and networking opportunities, internships help students transition from the college student to confident professional.