Choosing the Right Internship

CHOOSING THE

Right Internship

Your coursework internship is a key stepping stone for your future career, so picking the right one matters! Here are some tips on deciding on the right company to complete your internship with.

S o you’ve just been informed by your lecturer that you will need to start your internship next semester and that you have to start applying to companies soon. Time to get cracking! At the final lap of your degree or diploma, you are often needed to complete a professional internship that counts towards the credits for your course. You will be spending anywhere from three months up to half a year with an employer, so make the best use of your time there – gain the most out of your experience by discovering the right placement for yourself.

FIND A COMPANY THAT HELPS YOU GROW

Ideally, your internship experience will aid you later on your career path, so it’s important to find one that allows you to pick up and apply skills in your desired area of work.

• Identify the key skill sets or areas of interest that you wish to focus on, then pick a company that is strong in these areas.

For example, you are a psychology student interested in clinical psychology. Internships at counselling centres or local mental health hospitals will expose you to the relevant skills and experiences. You’ll also get to connect with clinical psychologists that work there!

When you have secured the internship, make a conscious effort to keep improving your skills, build connections and apply active learning throughout your time there.

• Keep track of your progres s and the tasks that you completed so that, by the end, you can see where you are in terms of mastering these skills as well as have a clear list of accomplishments to add to your CV.

SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR SENIORS

There is no better person to ask than your senior who has walked the path that you’re about to embark on; they are the best people to ask about coursework internship experiences. Not only can they recommend the types of companies suitable for your interests, but they can also offer insights into the firms they interned at.

After all, a former intern’s point of view will definitely help you in terms of knowing what you can expect and what is expected of you!

RESEARCH AND APPLY TO MULTIPLE COMPANIES

The golden rule is to not put all your eggs into one basket. Instead, list out possible companies to apply to increase your chances of getting hired. Read up on relevant employers and organise your shortlist during the initial application process so that you are keeping track of the applications you sent out.

Pro Tip

You wouldn’t want to be completely clueless when an employer reaches out to you; that’s just embarrassing!

Rejections and employers ghosting you are common when it comes to internship applications. Keep in mind that there are many other students applying at the same time, and firms have limited internship openings. So, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t secure an internship immediately.

CONNECT WITH PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY

There’s nothing like receiving first-hand, behind-thescene stories from professionals in the industry you are interested in. It does not matter if they are from your personal network or someone you met on LinkedIn, speaking to anyone with a certain level of knowledge or expertise in their fields will be beneficial to you as a student seeking to gain experience through an internship.

ATTEND CAREER FAIRS

Career fairs, be it physical or virtual, are a great way for you to be exposed to a wide range of employers in various industries. There, you will get to talk with as many employers as you wish on internship placements, even as you scout for opportunities.

Before you attend a career fair, make sure you have questions in mind to ask recruiters about their company and internship opportunities, and do not forget to bring copies of your CV to give to them too! If it’s a virtual career fair, oftentimes employers will have a customised link to sign up for a sharing session at a specific time and day. So pay close attention to these details on the organiser’s social media if you wish to participate to ask questions about internships. Don’t forget to keep your CV updated and send soft copies to the employers you meet.

It is never too late to start planning where you wish to do your internship, be it locally or abroad. It could be your best chance to get your foot into a dream company or an area of work you are passionate about – so give it some thought, and then act on it!