Back in the day, having a degree most likely promised you a job as not many people had access to higher education. It was the one step that our parents’ thought was the door to success, and maybe it was to them.

In today’s market pretty much everyone has a degree. In fact, 3.8 million degrees were earned in the United States, 6.8 million people graduated from universities in China and 10 million graduated from universities in Latin America in 2016. Please don’t get me wrong… a university degree is still, without doubt, a cause of celebration. It is the foundation of the skills and knowledge you will hopefully put in practice in your career. But let’s be realistic, having only a degree will not guarantee a job. If not, what will?

You may actually have the perfect grades, amazing recommendations from teachers and you may also have the most perfect cover letter but so does the person next to you. What actually makes you stand out and land the job you want?

The answer is simple: experiences. How do you do this? Internships.

University officials and employers all over the world believe that partaking in an internship will set you apart from peers. As matter of fact, most universities worldwide have set internships as part of the graduation requirements. It is then clear that just a degree won’t make a difference but an internship is crucial to finding meaningful employment in today’s seemingly impenetrable job market.

What's in for you?

-You not only have the chance to put in practice what you learned at university but also, an opportunity to see what areas you like most. It is like taking a car for a test and see if you like that one or maybe another model.

-You will learn new skills that are not taught at university but in the real world. For example, the ability to solve problems and communicate effectively with peers.

-Accumulate evidence of your abilities and gain industry knowledge you won’t learn anywhere else.

-You can start creating your professional network. Not only with colleagues but also, with other organizations and clients. This will allow you to eventually contact them for future references.

-It will improve your confidence and possibly land a full –time job.

I know degrees are important but they are not enough. Whether you like it or not, you need experience and in this competitive market, and an internship will help you out. It will shape your personality and give you the boost you were looking for to start your career the right way.

Written by Daniela Ruiz

Find out more content like this in our section Career Advice.

Daniela is passionate about travel and that is why she is currently doing a Master in International Sustainable Tourism Management in Melbourne. Daniela has been part of AI as Student Ambassador and Contributor to our Blog.