*This story was updated/corrected on Oct. 20, 2014

Securing their dream job is the reason that many people attend college, but in today’s job market having a degree isn’t always enough.

Internships are more important to students’ than ever before.

“Internships give students an opportunity to take what they are learning in the classroom and get hands-on experience in their major in the real world of work,” said Carol Bernardo, the Cosumnes River College Co-op Work Experience and Internship Coordinator and professor.

Generally students look to internships for not only experience in a given field but for paid experience, but many internships today are unpaid. There are pros and cons to both options, but ultimately both provide the desired experience.

Some students are willing to take unpaid internships and pay hundreds, if not thousands, to get that experience in their field of study, according to a USA Today article.

“If it helps you land a career of your dreams then you’re basically learning to do your future job,” said Sandip Singh, a 25-year-old undeclared major.

“So, if you love it when doing it for free, then think about how much you will love it once you get paid,” Singh said.

 The Work Experience Education & Internship Program is in the Business & Social Science Building in BS 106, students can go there to find both paid and unpaid internships.

“I feel they are beneficial for the experience, but, in most cases, you get taken advantage of because they will work you hard and most likely not have a position open,” said Mi’Shila Vickers, a 22-year-old nursing student.

It seems that some students may have a right to be skeptical when it comes to jobs  being offered to them after an internship.

A study done by the  National Association of College Employers  after three years of study found that, “unpaid internships don’t seem to give college kids much of a leg up when it comes time to look for employment,” according to an article from the Atlantic.

Some students do find that paid internships can be better and help with expenses, but in return it may require more work.

“Paid internships usually require interviews and more work, some people may even be underpaid,” Singh said.

“Studies show that the retention rate is higher of employees who had previously interned at the company versus employees who had not interned,” according to an article in Forbes Magazine.