Internship ASIA

So, you’ve passed the psychometric tests, whizzed by the interviews and survived the assessment center, to land yourself your dream internship. Not wanting to waste your opportunity, how do you make the most out of your internship?

Prepare Before Starting Your Internship

As always with approaching anything new, always be prepared. Be sure to carry out thorough research on the internship position you have applied for. You don’t want to be stuck for 2 months working on something you have no interest in, or worse still hate – it will just be a waste of you and your employer’s time and resources. Spend some time before starting your internship setting specific (but realistic) goals that you want to achieve. This is especially important for unstructured internships, where you will be able to gain a greater sense of accomplishment, upon successful completion of something you have set for yourself.

Be Serious in Your Job and Act Professional

Many interns may not have had the opportunity to work in a professional environment before, and may not therefore know what to expect. As a safe rule of thumb, always act professional, and be respectful for the position you are working in. This would show that you are serious in what you have decided to undertake, and therefore allows others to take you seriously. It will also allow you to fit in and settle into your role more easily.

A lot of internships act as screens for potential employment within the company. The more emphasis you place and show to others, on the importance of your internship, the better your chances are for greater responsibility and possibly, a full time job upon graduation.

View Your Internship as a Real Job

Your internship position may not be a paying one, but do not take it lightly – it still acts as a real job. As previously stated, your internship may act as an initial screen for future employment. It is also a chance to gain valuable contacts by networking and meet professionals in the business. Always put in the work as you would do in a real job -complete what is expected of you, and show initiative. Do not see it as a time for checking emails, making free calls to your mates, or a super-fast connection online gaming opportunity (even if you’re given “grunt work” to do like making photocopies!).

Have Regular Meetings With Your Supervisor

This might not always be easy, depending on your supervisor, but it is always important to gain regular feedback on how you are progressing. It also provides an opportunity for you to not only gain direct advice and lessons on a personal basis, but also to share your experiences, lessons learnt and any questions you may have.

Gain Exposure

Never pass up any chances you may have to get out there – attend conferences, training workshops and company meetings. They may appear boring, but you will always be able to increase your knowledge, network and also show your eagerness and enthusiasm to your colleagues. If possible, try to rotate positions between departments to widen your learning experience. Mingle with people from other departments, and if possible, perhaps try to attend company social events. The more exposure you gain, the more you’ll develop and learn!

Don’t Be Afraid To Ask

Although you are expected to be capable and to carry out your role with a certain degree of competence, no one expects you to fully know about everything there is to know about! If in doubt about anything, it’s always better to ask before proceeding. Always be sure to be open to new ideas and comments, as you are after all there to learn.

Leave With A Specific Accomplishment

Finishing your internship by having accomplished something tangible will help enhance your CV and career portfolio. It will also give future prospective employers some evidence on any initiative you have taken, what you are capable of, and any unique experience you may have gained.

Have Fun!

Always act positively. Don’t do things like complain, miss deadlines, arrive late, be close-minded or appear arrogant. Internships are a great experience, so enjoy yourself as you discover and learn new things!