How do I get the most from an internship?

After the post I wrote last week, I had a discussion about it and yes there was difference of opinions here and there but there was an agreement that there needs to be better structures for internships in many organisations. There was also consensus that the value of internships can be bettered by interns themselves.  It takes two to tango remember.

I was also asked to write on tips of getting the most out of internships.

1.       Know what you want: There are so many of us who work for the sake of working.  Their career actions are confused and the results they get are equally confusing. Can you imagine getting into a car and just driving for the sake of driving? Knowing what you want helps you streamline your actions to fit your goal. This determines your destination. Starting an internship is pretty much like starting a journey, you have to know where you are going. If you are interested in having a career in the financial sector taking up a public relations internship may add little value to your skills set for your future aspirations if any.

2.       Start searching early: The early bird does catch the worm. If you look at the map and find out directions to where you want to go when having a drive you increase your chances of having a smooth ride. The same goes for internships. Companies with a good internship programmes that are bent on true learning start recruitment for these positions early. It is therefore not wise to wait till you need one to start looking for one. The ideal situation would be to start researching about companies you are interested in 5-6 months ahead of time to know what programs they have and the qualities they look for in their interns. After this it is advisable to make an application around 3 months before you start looking and then proceed to remind them about your application and asking for feedback. Remember good internships are competitive and if you start early, you will  show that you are organised.

3.       Take initiative: You should always take the initiative when you are doing an internship because the more you do this the more likelihood of you learning and earning the trust of fellow colleagues. You want to ‘Wow’ your colleagues, to be remembered as a positive contributor, one whose departure means a loss to them and not one they celebrate. In this way, you can be assured of a strong recommendation which you can use in the job search. I bet this is something you already know.

4.       Be an Insider: Learn about the culture and blend in. It gives you practise and adds on team spirit. Do not feel shy to ask to contribute to ideas or join in activities. After all that is what ‘real’ work is about and it will give you a wholesome experience.

Realise that I have not put anything about pay I do not want to seem money minded but remember if you are a graduate doing an internship experience cannot pay the rent J