Internship is the best way to gain work experience and on-the-job skills which are needed in your career in the future. With many internship programs available, it is sometimes difficult to choose which one you’ll go for, so here are some of the things you should look for:
Real Work Assignments
The main goal of internship is for interns to experience their chosen careers firsthand. It is best to look for an internship program which would allow you to do real work that is related to your major or to the career you will pursue.
Good Workplace Environment
No matter what type of work you are doing, the workplace environment always has an effect on your performance. Taking up your internship in a place that has a good environment can help you focus a lot which would in turn help you learn more throughout your internship.
Orientation and Expectations
Before you start your internship, the host company you will take your program in should conduct an orientation and tell you what they expect from you. This way, you will know what you will be doing and what kind of performance you should show.
Proper Training
Training helps you in learning new skills and also in improving the skills you already have. Gaining a wide range of skills during your internship is a great way to position yourself for career success. You may need to learn how to use software platforms that are part of your operations or may even need something as basic as a session in how to work the phone system.
Supervised Work
As an intern who still does not know everything there is to know about the workplace, you will surely have questions and feedback during your internship. Having a supervisor can help in answering the problems you may have. Also, by having a supervisor there will be someone who can guide you with your work.
Opportunities for Full-time Employment
Though the main reason for internship is to gain work experience and new skills, the internship program you’ll take should also offer full-time employment opportunities. To assess whether there will be career opportunities following your internship, take a look at the careers page of the company’s website to see if there are any open positions. In the worst case scenario, you will get a reference letter from the company and will be able to put the experience on your CV, bridging the gap that many students and recent graduates face when striving for their first professional job.
Regular Reviews and Feedback
Make sure that when you apply for an internship program, your superiors will provide you regular reviews and feedback. With these, you will be able to know if you are doing your work properly or if there are things you need to change or improve on. This will help you greatly when it comes to your career in the future.
Should you wish to take your internship to the next level, feel free to contact us and book your FREE 30-minute career consultation in one of our informative group sessions.