The common path for most students to walk after secondary school is to enter college, and only wait until after graduation to start worrying about adapting to the new environment of the working world.  But this need not be the case.  Now, many courses stipulate internships or industrial training as coursework requirement.  Even if it is not compulsory, some institutions encourage students to have such an experience by enlisting the help and support of companies which are willing to have interns work for them.

Picture courtesy of Carleton College

What is an Internship?

This may sound a silly question to some of you, but for some, it is something unheard of as it has never been required of them or anyone around them.  (Just two years ago I scratched my head at the word “Internship”, but that has changed ever since I found out that I had to do it in order to complete my coursework.) But times are achanging, and many more students find themselves searching for internship sites.

If you have watched the popular reality TV show The Apprentice, you would have at least some idea of what an internship would be akin to, as it is somewhat similar to an apprenticeship in that the “employees”, known as interns, would be taken in to work for the company and receive hands-on training for a temporary period.

What do I do in an Internship?

Typically, interns would be given tasks that would be able to train or develop skills which would be required later on as they enter the workforce.  For example, psychology students would be given the opportunity to engage in research, or Public Relations students would have a go at organizing events.  However, it is important to take note of the opportunities given to be involved in relevant and skills-enhancing tasks.  Sometimes interns may be “under utilized” or “over utilized”, for instance, being given daily work of filing, or being asked to do the data entry work of a clerk.  Although these are simple jobs and you might learn something from them, this is not an experience that you cannot learn outside of the internship.

Picture courtesy of jmu.edu

Since I am working, will I be paid?

Some internship sites pay, some do not.  Some pay more, some pay just enough to cover your meals and not even your transport cost.  If they do pay, most companies or institutions offer a stipend, which is a form of payment given to interns, much lower than a normal working salary.  In other words, you would be receiving a smaller amount than that you would get if you were working in the same position but as a regular staff.  This payment is usually not considered a salary, rather it is a reimbursement or a token of appreciation for your work done there.

Although it is normal to not expect a high-paying internship job, do take caution and not allow yourself to be taken advantage of.  Check with other interns to find out what the average payment is, and if yours measures too much below standards, double check with your employer or consider alternative places to work at.  Of course, the main thing you want to earn out of this is a positive, learning experience, but if it comes to the point where you are asked to pay for something or someone other than yourself, it’s a sign that you should start reconsidering.  But also do not be too quick to jump the gun upon being offered a little more than the rest.  If you will have to sacrifice your weekends for 3 months, think twice to evaluate its worthiness.

How do I make make sure I find the best possible Internship?

By following these general guidelines:

Before you dive in and send your resume off to every possible company, first determine your goals of the internship and what you want to get out of this short working stint.  Of course, if it is required in your course, there may be certain set objectives or outcomes that you need to achieve.  But if you are doing this on your own will, consider important aspects such as your interests, your abilities (no point applying for a graphic designing job if all you know is basic Photoshop), your needs, your expected outcomes of this experience including what you hope to learn and discover, the kind of people you are interested in interacting with and so on.

Do some research and check with the people who have had or are going for the same experience.  Your best resources are senior students.  You may think you have the best possible deal already, but it doesn’t harm to double check.  You never know what’s awaiting you.

If you do not know of anyone personally who has completed an internship, join forums and ask around.

Cartoon courtesy of CartoonStock

Where do I find jobs for Internships?

Start through word of mouth.  Since you’re already doing research on internship experience, you would already have an idea on which sites are considerable.  You could also ask for advice from your lecturers, professors, or faculty office.  Even if it is not provided as a college service, they may have personal acquintances that might be able to help.  For more alternatives, try the Internet.  Job offering websites such as JobStreet have some internship openings, or if you are willing to take risks, write to the companies you are interested in working for.  It’s not that difficult, just go to their homepage and look for the e-mail address to send to.  Also, when you head down to a career or education fair, do look out for such opportunities.

As mentioned, some colleges or universities establish a list of internship sites and employers for students, such as Career Sense from HELP University College.  Some of these are offered through an internship program which allows students to choose from the available list and apply for their preferred sites.  Make the best out of this established support, because colleges and universities are always careful in their selection of internship places and therefore enlist the partnership of quality and dependable companies.

What about during the Internship?

During your working period, the best you can do is perform as if you are really an employee and are working hard to achieve something.  Basic rules go without saying, such as always being punctual, taking on any task assigned to you, dressing appropriately and so on.  Test your competency by taking things one step further, for example, taking initiative to ask for more tasks when you have completed one, or requesting to sit in a meeting to observe.  Not only would this benefit you by maximizing your learning opportunities, it would at the same time help you avoid being evaluated negatively.  And if things go even better, you may be so impressive that your employers decide to offer a place in the company to you in the future.

There is no rule of thumb to obtaining the best internship experience because situations often vary, but one golden rule to remember is to HAVE FUN and enjoy your stay there!

HAVE FUN!

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