More than nine out of 10 interns get offered a full-top job with the company they are working for following their internship, U.S research has found.
The study by jobs' website CareerExposure.com reported more than 90 per cent of interns receiving an offer for a full-time position within the organisation once their work experience had ended.
More than 95 per cent also felt their internship helped to accelerate their career, as it provided an opportunity to obtain relevant work experience and make connections in their industry of choice.
"Internships are the ideal interview tool," said JillXan Donnelly, president of CareerExposure.com.
"Employers have the opportunity to evaluate potential new hires and determine if the candidate is a good fit for the organisation.
"At the same time, interns can use the experience to make great contacts, challenge their thinking outside of the classroom and evaluate a company. The survey results point to internships as a 'must do' for employers and job candidates," she added.
Respondents overwhelmingly agreed that internships provided real-world experience regarding a respective industry and/or organisation, allowing interns and employers to determine a fit prior to making an official commitment.
Interns have the opportunity to differentiate themselves from the pool of recent college graduates seeking employment, while organizations can incorporate new ideas interns contribute based on their recent learning.
The top three tips from interns about how to make your mark were: ensure you have a mentor within the expectation, be clear on expectations and debrief at the end of the process and make the most of your time there.
A poll last month by MBACareers.com found that internships were equally likely to help MBA students, with almost nine out of 10 interns being offered a position following their internship.