Can certifications help students get their first internship?
Certifications can help when applying for a first internship by showing basic knowledge and interest in a related field. However, they do not determine selection on their own; employers may also consider the application, interview, coursework or extracurricular experience, and fit with the organization. Choose certifications relevant to your intended field and be ready to explain what you learned and how you could use it.
Key points
- A certification can provide supporting evidence of interest and foundational knowledge in a relevant field.
- Explaining what you learned and how you can apply it is more useful than listing the credential alone.
- Applications, interviews, experience, and fit with the organization may also affect selection.
Things to check
- The value placed on certifications and other selection criteria varies by employer and role.