Oct 25, 2013 08:14 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

The benefit of interning while at college is higher than expected. Not only does the student gain practical knowledge but it also acts as leverage to secure a job in the company after graduation.

In the current job market, employers are constantly looking for candidates who have graduated with some work experience because they require relatively less training and are capable of handling more responsibilities.

According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers earlier this year, more than 1,000 employers made full-time offers to 56.5 percent of their interns.

Plus, internships also help students build contacts in their respective professional fields which could be useful in future job prospects.

Gaining work experience during college years gives students clarity about their field of choice. It acquaints them with the general job culture and gives a clear picture of career and growth aspects in the work environment. Interns can also earn some quick course credits and pocket money.

In a recent survey of 317 ranked American colleges and universities by U.S. News, an average of 37.7 percent of students in the class of 2012 interned at some point in their undergraduate career.

In the list of top colleges that produced graduates with work experience, Bennington College, College of the Atlantic and Delaware Valley College claimed that 100 percent of their graduates participated in an internship during college.

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