In the time following my graduation from Decatur High School in 2013, my eyes have been opened to this unexpected ideal of what college is like today. In one word I could describe it — competitive.

At Decatur I was an active participant in extracurricular activities and focused on my studies.

I thought I was set.

However, what I’ve seen in my first year of college at Western Washington University is that it simply isn’t that easy.

The competition to get into the great schools and land desirable jobs is increasing, and young adults are facing more pressure than ever before to differentiate themselves from the competition and beef up their resumes.

Now it is the norm to join multiple clubs, volunteer, work a job and do it all while excelling in academics.

While all those are good things, and things that are worth doing, people often miss out on the experience that could differentiate them the most from their competition and propel them into a successful career that they want.

Internships, according to research conducted by U.S. News and World Reports (2010), are the No. 1 thing that can make a young adult stand out from the rest.

University officials and employers almost universally maintain that partaking in an internship — or several, which sets a student apart from his or her peers even more — before graduation is integral to finding meaningful employment in today’s seemingly impenetrable job market.

The value of internships cannot be oversold, and we as a community need to make sure that we are fostering an environment where young people are empowered to seek out internships and business professionals are eager to hire, train and mentor them.

When given that opportunity, interns gain valuable time and experience in a field of interest, and the employer benefits from having extra help with his/her business.

It is a mutually beneficial relationship that can increase the prosperity of our local economy and prepare the way for the next generation of young professionals who will inherit it.

Consider my story.

I first met Federal Way traffic attorney Herman C. Brewer IV when I was in the Advancing Leadership Youth program in 2012.

Advancing Leadership Youth is a program that focuses on developing and equipping young leaders to be successful professionally and be effective leaders in the community.

When we met during a combined program day with the adult class, I told him I wanted to run my own business and at some point pursue a career as a lawyer.

He gave me some excellent advice about things I could do that would help me achieve my goals. Over the course of the next two years we emailed back and forth periodically, he answered my questions and recommended some reading material that helped further my understanding of how the legal system worked.

Then, just this last spring as I was finishing up my first year of college at Western Washington University I emailed him and asked if there was a way I could help out in his office this summer.

He ran me through an interview and application process that he told me was on par with any law firm in the country, and welcomed me in as an intern.

During my time at his office I have been filing legal documents with the court system, working with clients, networking with other professionals in the community, attending court hearings, developing a marketing plan, and learning the ins and outs of running a small business.

These experiences have been incredibly valuable for me, and I am excited to see where my experiences here will lead me next.

My advice for the young people in this community is to seek out professionals who work in areas that you find interesting.

They have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share and the time you spend with them could be exactly what you need to take that next step — be it furthering your education or competing in the job market of your dreams.

I would encourage the business professionals in Federal Way to see that our community is full of talented and driven individuals who want to work for you.

They want to learn from you and help your business succeed.

Any opportunity you can provide to further someone’s pursuit of their goals is an opportunity that can secure their future, and ensure this community continues to grow and prosper.

To those of you reading this that already provide opportunities for interns, I want to thank you for your investment in the people of this community.

To those of you that do not, I would encourage you to look into it.

The positive impact for your business and the people you mentor is something that is hard to imagine unless you experience it.

This community has incredible potential in its youth and it also has business leaders with years of experience and advice to share.

Let’s ensure the future of our community by connecting those groups.

Decatur High School graduate Jordan Crahan is an intern at the Law Office of Herman C. Brewer IV, LLC. For information, email info@hermaniv.org.