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&lt;p&gt;In a Vault 2009 survey, 60 percent of career centers reported that more and more graduating students were accepting internships instead of full-time job offers.  This year, that number is expected to grow, which should come as no surprise.  A postgraduation internship is a great way to test drive a possible career path or industry--with no strings attached.  If you realize halfway through the internship that it isn&#39;t for you, you only have a limited amount of time left before the internship is over and you can leave without ruining any of the relationships you&#39;ve built while there.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src=&quot;http://content.screencast.com/users/cwisevault/folders/Default/media/4f74549d-d61a-4aa6-8cf9-ac588c113f1d/Happy_Intern.png&quot; alt=&quot;Happy legislative intern: staying positive is key to getting a full-time job&quot; align=&quot;right&quot;&gt;Connie Thanasoulis, former Fortune 500 recruiter and co-founder of SixFigureStart, highly recommends postgrad internships: &quot;Internships by their very nature are defined periods of time...If you can get an internship--do it!!&quot;  Your first job after college is a tremendous learning experience, so you should take the opportunity to consider paths you may not have otherwise considered.  Internships are by definition meant to teach you about a particular industry or career, and the allow you to explore with the safety net of a set end date.  A postgrad internship is the perfect time to take a career risk!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What if you love your internship and want to stay on full-time?  How can you turn your internship into a full-time job?  &quot;If you love what you do, absolutely ask that [the internship] be extended,&quot; says Thanasoulis.  &quot;Have that conversation the minute you realize you want to stay on.  Always tell your manager that you are enjoying the work--so have those open lines of communication--but make sure they are positive.&quot;  Be sure to wait until you&#39;re sure you want to stay on before asking--I&#39;d say about two to three weeks.  If you ask about an extension or full-time on your first day, your manager may wonder about your reasoning because you&#39;re still learning about the company.  &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The best advice to turn your internship into a full-time gig is to do a &quot;stellar job&quot; on all your assignments, take initiative and show personal investment in your work, keep open communication with your manager(s), and above all stay positive.  &quot;Good positive attitudes and enthusiasm are so appreciated by managers,&quot; says Thanasoulis.  &quot;Show these qualities and they&#39;ll do whatever they can to retain you!&quot;&lt;/p&gt;

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