While in college, you are best positioned to get a guide on how to get an internship. Once you leave college, you can still go for an internship at a company of your choice. There are some do’s and don’ts that you should know to make your whole experience an enjoyable one.
Sometimes taking an internship is referred to as going for ‘an attachment.’ Some might refer to it differently. This guide covers all aspects. So here are some of the tips to bear in mind when you’re about to go for an internship.
Do Try To Have More Than One
Try to make the most out of your college years by having more than one internship program. This can really be beneficial to you. Just think about how one internship can already help you, what more if you had two?
But, make sure that you can accommodate them with your time. To maximize your learning experience, don’t have them at the same time if possible. In this way, it wouldn’t be too stressful on you. If you can’t accommodate having two, then getting at least one is acceptable.
Don’t Wait For It To Come
An internship opportunity won’t come knocking at your door. It is not given to you like candy. Just like in looking for a regular job, you should be the one to look for it.
However, there are some tools that might help you find a good internship more easily. You can try your college placement office if there be any. You can also target companies and startups that are actively looking for interns. On top of that, search online and right here!
Do Use Your Network
If finding an internship seems to be a tedious chore for you, don’t worry. Why not try to make use of your network of friends and family? This can be a good way to get the leads on available internship programs out there.
You can also use utilize your university internship placement program and they will better be positioned to show you the companies to approach. This will put you at a best position to succeed.
Don’t Expect To Get Paid
The sad truth is, most internships are done for free. Although some companies pay their interns, majority of them can only give you a certain amount of stipend or a really small amount of money, probably enough for your fare back and to from your workplace.
Knowing that there are paid internships, you might start targeting these kinds of programs. However, even though they are paid, you should keep in mind that some of the best internship experiences could be acquired with non-paid programs.
Do Set Specific Goals
When you are about to take an internship, you should set specific goals for yourself and your internship. Ask yourself what you want to achieve at the end of your internship.
If you have a goal in mind, then taking your internship would not be taken for granted, since you can set your mind into accomplishing your goals. Always set your goals in writing, this way whatever milestone you achieve, you can be able to tick it off as a success.
Do Expect Professional Treatment
Welcome to the professional world. When you start your internship, you can say goodbye to lame ‘the dog ate my homework’ kind of excuses. Here, expect to be treated professionally. Your employer and co-workers would have to give you that professional treatment whether you want it or not.
Along with expecting professional treatment, you should act professionally too at all times. You can’t slack off and think that this is only an internship. You should treat it as if it is real work.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the things you should and should not do when preparing for getting into an internship program. Just always remember that this period of your life is a very crucial one, because it can have a rippling effect on your future career life. So, try to do your best even if you’re still on your preparation stage!