Many times, internships can be used as a route to full-time employment, but what do you do when your internship ends and a job offer does not present itself?

Rest assured that although internships are great resume boosters and can provide access to new networking opportunities, they are not your only option. Temping offers a paid alternative to internships, while still allowing for you to get the work experience and networking opportunities needed to make a smooth transition into the workforce. Temping also enables you to meet people in your desired industry, to understand the internal workings of a company and to become accustomed to the terminology that is commonly used. The employees you meet can give you advice on what future employers may be looking for, lead you to future job offers, and may even be able to write you a letter of recommendation. It is always a good idea to network and both temping and internships are an excellent way to accomplish this.

With internships it is essential to work hard and make the most out of every opportunity you are given. Show up early and stay late—do whatever your company needs and wants. Basically, go above and beyond. The knowledge that practical work experience brings is not something that can be learned in the classroom, it is knowledge that can only be gained through working in your field. To many employers, education and experience do not go hand-in-hand. So, if you just graduated and have little experience working in your field, temping and interning are ways for you to gain the experience that your future employer desires.

The first hand experience and knowledge that entry-level positions yield can put you one step ahead of your competition. It enables you to go into any interview with confidence because you already know what is expected. You may even be able to offer examples of how you have completed similar tasks in the past or offer fresh alternatives for completing the same tasks.

Remember, there is no such thing as a wasted experience. If your internship does not turn into a full-time job offer, then it has still given you invaluable knowledge, experience and networking opportunities that will help you tremendously when transitioning into the workforce. Also, remember that internships are not your sole option. Temp jobs can be just as helpful, and even if your first temp job doesn’t turn into a full-time employment opportunity, you can keep working with a temp agency to help place you in your next position.

Looking for a temp agency? Check out a Spherion local office near you!