As the semester ends, the decision between enjoying our summer break or the dreaded summer internship becomes crucial.

Is an internship really that dreadful? Or is it finding one that leaves us so anxious?

As easy as it is to return to the jobs we have held seasonal positions at since we were 16, the work experience needed to get our footing after college is crucial. Whether you are a freshman or junior, the time to gain experience in your prospective fields is now.

Summer internships are more than just a resume builder. They allow us to narrow out our passions and career goals. Finding an internship is not just about finding an employer after college, but learning life skills and putting ourselves in situations we will likely face as employees.

As someone who has changed their major a handful of times, I know how vital a summer internship has been when deciding my future. I have been fortunate enough to have an internship coming into and after my freshman year of college with an engineering firm.

As an aspiring engineer, this felt like the right move, but I soon learned that the career path I was on was not a good fit for me.

Without that experience, I would still be set on pursuing engineering. Thankfully, after a few major changes, a new opportunity for summer work experience has arrived. Whether or not it solidifies a career path for me or not, this experience can only benefit me.

It is not too late to start the summer internship search, so grab your laptop and start looking.