​When it comes to career progression, experience is everything. But what if you’re just starting out or trying to break into a new field?

Enter internships and volunteer work—two underrated yet powerful tools that can give your career a major boost. Opportunities like these can open doors in ways you might not expect.

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Why Internships and Volunteer Work Matter

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1. Real-World Experience That Employers Love

Employers don’t just look at degrees and qualifications—they want to see experience. Internships and volunteer roles give you hands-on exposure to the workplace, helping you develop practical skills and industry knowledge that set you apart from other candidates. Textbook knowledge can mean little if you can’t prove that you can apply it. Hiring managers want proof that you can actually do the job, and this is how you show them.

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2. Expanding Your Professional Network

It’s not just what you know; it’s who you know. Internships and volunteer positions connect you with professionals in your chosen industry, giving you access to mentorship, insider job leads, and potential future employers. Ever heard of someone landing a dream job just because they “knew someone”? That could be you—if you build the right connections.

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3. Skill Development on Fast-Forward

You can list “strong communication skills” on your CV all you want, but unless you’ve actually used them in a workplace setting, it’s just words on paper. Whether it’s problem-solving, teamwork, or industry-specific skills, internships and volunteering fast-track your growth. Plus, they let you test-drive different roles without committing to something you’ll hate.

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4. Enhancing Your CV and Stand-Out Factor

A CV packed with relevant experience speaks volumes. Listing internships and volunteer roles shows that you’re proactive and willing to go the extra mile. Employers love that. Real experience makes you stand out—and in a competitive job market, that’s everything.

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5. A Stepping Stone to Full-Time Roles

Many companies use internships as a recruitment pipeline. Impress them during your internship, and you might just land a permanent job offer. Similarly, volunteer work often leads to paid roles, particularly in non-profits, social enterprises, and community-based organisations. Think of it as an extended job interview—you’re proving yourself before the hiring process even begins.

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How to Make the Most of Internships and Volunteer Work

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1. Choose Opportunities That Align with Your Goals

Not all experience is created equal. If you’re interested in marketing, find a role that involves actual content creation or data analysis. Want to work in tech? Find a hands-on coding internship (there's a lot of companies in NI who offer tech internships btw - EY, Kainos, Deloitte, CGI to name a few - but it's a competitive market, so get in there quick and make sure you've been keeping up to date with your skills and working on tech projects!)

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2. Treat It Like a Real Job

Internships and volunteer work are an audition for potential employers. If you act like it doesn’t matter, guess what? No one will take you seriously. Show up on time, take initiative, and go the extra mile. The intern who slacks off isn’t getting a job offer—but the one who acts like a full-time employee just might.

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3. Build Relationships and Stay in Touch

Networking isn’t about collecting LinkedIn connections—it’s about building actual relationships. Stay in touch with colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. If you impress the right person, they could be the one who helps you land your next job.

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4. Document Your Achievements

You didn’t “help with social media”—you grew engagement by 30% through strategic content. You didn’t “assist on a project”—you managed key tasks that led to a successful outcome. Keep track of what you’ve done, because these specifics will make your CV and interview answers much stronger.

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Every Experience Counts

Internships and volunteer are stepping stones to your next career move. They provide experience, connections, and skills that can set you apart in a competitive job market. Whether you’re just starting out or pivoting into a new field, make sure you grab hold of these opportunities to strategically put you on the fast track to success. And with VANRATH in your corner, landing your dream role just got a whole lot easier.