As a little bit of background, the author is an international student from the computer science (artificial intelligence major) background, living in Tokyo. Thus, this article is written from the IT-industry perspective (especially, interning at Japanese companies).
Why an Internship?
Have you ever seen that meme? You are required to have experience before getting your first experience. In the currently ridiculous world, one cannot exaggerate the importance of having an internship. Some universities even require internships to graduate. Putting the half-joke aside, if finding the right job/company is analogous to finding a partner, an internship is analogous to the courtship process. On top of getting real work experience and salary (paid internship), an internship provides you with the opportunity to know more about a company’s working environment and exercise problem-solving skills. It is also a chance for you to make an impression, which offers you advantages should you apply for a full-time position at the same company you interned at. I have heard that some companies even require you to be an intern before applying for a full-time position.