If you’re a college student, you know how stressful it can be to think about your future career. One of the best things you can do to set yourself up for post-graduation success is to gain work experience while you complete your studies. Two popular options are internships and temp jobs, which both provide unique advantages to college students.
For this blog post, we’re excited to partner with Intelligent, a publication dedicated to providing research and insights to college students and educational institutions nationwide. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of both internships and temp jobs, their key differences, and how to choose between these opportunities.
Understanding the Key Differences Between Temp Jobs and Internships
Temp jobs are short-term employment opportunities, often secured through a staffing agency like All Trades. They offer the chance to explore different industries and expand your skill set, giving you diverse experiences and broadening your horizons. However, temp jobs may not directly relate to your field of study.
Internships, on the other hand, are typically related to a student’s specific interests and passions. While they are also short-term employment experiences, there is usually a broader range of opportunities available. However, internships are often unpaid or low-paying, making them a less attractive option for students who need an extra source of income.
Another benefit of internships is that they are jobs specifically designed for college students, which means the employer understands your specific needs and can work around your class schedule. Some companies even offer virtual positions, allowing you to perform your job responsibilities whenever it works best for you. Temp jobs offer some degree of flexibility, but because they are completely removed from the college or university, they may not be as understanding of schedule conflicts.
Which is Right for You?
With so many different options out there, it can be hard to determine which employment opportunity is best for you. Whichever one you choose, you’ll get the chance to expand your professional network, build new skills, create relationships with colleagues, and increase your chances of securing a desirable job after you graduate.
When to Choose a Temp Job
Temp jobs often focus on trades and skills, such as construction, industrial, and manufacturing positions. If you plan to have a career in civil engineering, construction project management, supply chains, city planning, product development, or materials research, temp jobs in these industries are an excellent way to get to know the various moving parts.
Another common temp job is clerical work. These positions, including administrative assistants, data entry jobs, receptionists, and customer service representatives, teach valuable transferable skills that can apply to a wide range of industries and fields, from education to sales to communications. Including clerical work on your resume shows employers you are organized, responsible, and friendly, which makes you a valuable asset for any company.
If you’ve decided to pursue temporary employment, contact All Trades today to get started.
When to Choose an Internship
You can often get college credit for completing an internship — in fact, many programs require students to do an internship before they can graduate. In these cases, it’s often best to go with this route, especially if you can secure a well-paying internship that works with your class schedule.
Internships are also great for gaining experience in a specific field, networking with professionals in your desired industry, and hopefully securing post-graduation employment. If there’s a specific company you’d like to work for after you graduate, completing an internship with them is an excellent way to get your foot in the door and demonstrate why they should consider you for long-term employment in the future.
If you’ve decided to do an internship but you’re not sure where to get started, check out Intelligent’s helpful guide, “How to Get an Internship”.
Explore the World of Temp Jobs at All Trades
In your quest to become the best candidate for full-time employment you can possibly be, both temp jobs and internships are outstanding tools for gaining work experience and learning new skills. If you’re a college student looking to take advantage of the benefits of temp jobs, contact All Trades today.
At All Trades, we specialize in connecting individuals looking for temporary work with companies who need extra help. Feel free to reach out to us with questions or concerns as you decide what your next step should be. We would love to help you ascend the career ladder and set you up for success after graduation.
