Why Experience Counts and Matters
by C.S.Ching
If you are given the opportunity to become an intern, here's our suggestion: Don't give it up. That experience will indeed be valuable as you try to be ahead of everyone else. By C.S.Ching.
For everyone who has just graduated, the race for a good job is always a tough one. But with internship or work experience under your belt, you know you will be ahead of the pack.
While the most important thing to come out from your university education is, of course, the degree, it’s no longer considered an important edge.
Companies – especially multinational’s (MNCs) – are becoming increasingly picky about new hires. Sure, you need the right sort of degree, but just as important are those little extras that will get you in the front of the line.
What do we mean? Experience, of course. The saying, “Experience is everything” speaks volumes, especially when it comes to your career.
How to get experience?
So, how do you get experience, when you’ve never been employed before? Actually, it’s easier than you think. All it takes is initiative and a willingness to learn.
Most universities will arrange internship opportunities for their students. Internships, also known as industrial attachments, are offered to undergraduate students (often in their final year).
Most internships last one to three months, and can either be paid or unpaid. Some internship programmes are part of the university course and will count towards credits.
| Your purpose as an intern is to receive mentorship, supervision and training. |
During an internship, you work like the employee in the organisation. You clock in and out at the same time, adhere to the same office rules, take part in major organisational programmes and more. However, your purpose as an intern is to receive mentorship, supervision and training.
In short, internships are designed to assist students explore what it is like to work in their chosen industry so that they can determine if the career matches their interests and skills.
Why intern?
What benefits can an internship bring you? Where do we begin!
Firstly, an internship helps you prepare for the working world. It provides you with insight into the pre-requisites for future employment.
At the same time, an internship will give you some real-life experience that will highlight your strengths and weaknesses for your chosen career path. When you know what your weaknesses are, you can take immediate measures to remedy them. It will also provide you with non-industry related skills such as communication and public speaking skills and team work. It can also widen your network of professional contacts for future opportunities and references.
Perhaps the most important thing an internship can do for you is build on your résumé. Imagine how impressive your potential employer will be to see that you have worked with one of the biggest industry players! This will definitely set you apart from your peers, giving you an advantage when it comes to bagging your dream job.
| Internship will give you some real-life experience that will highlight your strengths and weaknesses for your chosen career path. |
Applying For An Internship
What happens if your university doesn’t offer internship programmes? Not to worry. All it means is that you have to be pro-active. Check out which companies you’d like to intern for and contact them.
Do a search on the Internet to see which companies offer internships – many will publicise this fact on their corporate websites and identify the contact person you can liaise with.
This can be done during semester breaks. Applying for internships this way is very much like applying for a job. Submit a CV as well as a cover letter when you apply for an internship programme. You will be called up for a quick interview so that the company can get to know you better. Once you have the internship in hand, everything else is pretty much the same – the work hours, the benefits and the opportunity to learn.
| It will also provide you with nonindustry related skills such as communication and public speaking skills and team work. |
Making The Most Out Of It
There is no point signing up for an internship if you don’t plan to learn as much as you can. Here are some pointers to make the most out of it:
Have Initiative
Besides being given tasks, use your initiative to seek new responsibilities or projects to get involved in. Work to maximise your time while you are an intern. If you see an opportunity, step up and go after it.
Be Self-Sufficient
As an intern, you will normally be assigned a mentor. But be independent and selfsufficient so that you don’t have to go to your busy mentor for guidance all the time. Learn fast; this way you can be left pretty much to yourself to learn the ropes.
Learn About the Business
This is a given – after all, the whole point of being an intern is to learn about the industry and whether it is suitable for you! Use every opportunity to learn as much as you can about the business. A few questions to ask yourself: What sets this company apart from competition? What other opportunities are available in the industry? What are the skills required to be successful in the industry?
| Applying for internships this way is very much like applying for a job. |
Network
This is the time for you to make as many contacts as possible. The more good contacts you have within the organisation, the more opportunities you will have in it.
Be responsible
At all times, work hard and be focused on completing the tasks you are given. This way, you are showing your employer that you have the responsibility to handle critical projects. This will enhance your value within the organisation. And who knows, you may be offered a full-time position once you graduate!
Nothing’s too small
When you are an intern, nothing is too small for you to do. Initially, you may even be asked to do photocopying, bring coffee, input data, etc. Don’t look down on these tasks and don’t whine. It may seem menial at first, but it’s a great way to understand the way the organisation works.
Avoid office politics
You don’t want to get caught up in this. You’re there for a short time – don’t spend it making enemies or playing games. You may end up on the losing side.
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