As the semester comes to an end, surely every student is on the lookout for an internship opportunity. Some may want to increase their certificate count or fulfill the university requirement. Others might want to get an insight into the field of work that interests them. Regardless, an internship experience should be one that adds value to not only a student’s resume but also to their knowledge and personality.
Here are some things that make an internship a valuable learning experience.
1. An inspiring mentor
Experience is the best teacher. Hence, a person with years of experience is in the best position to give advice. It is even better when you find a person like that at your internship. A mentor will help you navigate your true potential and provide you with honest feedback. They will be genuinely interested in your improvement.
2. A positive work environment
Some key features of a positive work environment are open communication, supportive and respectful colleagues, and flexibility. All these factors help build a productive atmosphere, where interns strive to produce their best work.
3. Participation and engagement
It is important for internship programs to consider their interns as a part of the organization, rather than someone who is only there to complete some tasks over a period of a few weeks and then leaves. Involving them in discussions and asking for their feedback will make them feel valued.
4. An opportunity to build a strong network
Network building goes a long way. A good internship would give you an opportunity to work with people of different backgrounds and experiences. Not only can interns learn from each other’s experiences, but also use this network to advance in their careers in the future.
5. Variation in tasks
Mundanity impacts motivation negatively. Additionally, it limits learning. For this reason, it is important for interns to be presented with different types of tasks during their internship period. Furthermore, variation in work would also give them a chance to learn new skills and polish their existing ones.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many places have been offering virtual internships. Thus, before accepting an internship, one should consider which mode of working suits them best. Moreover, in my opinion, no knowledge is irrelevant. While it is important to choose internships that are in line with what you aspire to do in the future, it is also not a bad idea to explore different fields.
Lastly, masked by the term “experience”, unpaid work still exists. While some would say getting this ‘’experience” is a part of being a student, paid internships actually result in higher morale. This is reflected in the work that interns do, proving to be beneficial for them and the organization.
Keeping these things in mind would help students make an informed decision when choosing where to do their internship.
Feature picture by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
