Introducing Student Internships And Types Of Internships; You love internships because they add value to your CV and help you develop transferable skills, but you despise them because there is so much competition for them and there are so many different kinds to choose from.
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What Are Internships?
For people seeking to learn more about or acquire the necessary information and abilities to pursue a particular job field, internships offer practical experience. The main goals of internships, which tend to be brief in duration, are to gain some practical experience and apply what students have learned in the classroom to real-world situations.
4 Types Of Internships Available To Students
Paid Internships
Paid internships are typically offered in the private sector or by big businesses with the resources to pay students to learn while they work. Paid internships are unquestionably the preferred internships when choosing between paid and unpaid opportunities.
Organizations are increasingly realizing the importance of internship programs and the crucial role they play in the hiring process. In addition to working to train interns, these firms closely monitor them to assess their potential as prospective future full-time workers.
Because of this, businesses that have the financial means to do so will typically decide to do so.
Nonprofit Internships
Working for a nonprofit as an intern is typically very different than working for a for-profit company. In a nonprofit organization, there are no owners or investors, and no one is entitled to any portion of the earnings or losses that are decided upon annually by the organization. Among the tax-exempt nonprofit organizations that must be incorporated in accordance with local legislation are the following:
- Charities
- Universities
- Government agencies
- Religious organizations
- Some hospitals
Since making money is not their primary goal, many companies place a greater emphasis on offering a service. When interning at a nonprofit, most interns are unpaid. When hiring entry-level workers in this industry, companies look for people with a variety of very useful abilities, which can be acquired by completing an internship in a nonprofit organization.
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Summer Internships
Internships over the summer typically last eight to twelve weeks and can be full- or part-time. Compared to other times of the year, the summer is when more students complete internships. These brief encounters provide people with a true understanding of what it’s like to work in a certain position or professional field. There is plenty of time to establish a regular work schedule and pick up useful knowledge and abilities.
Although not required, summer internships can be completed for credit. The benefit of receiving credit during the summer is that it can reduce a student’s course load during the autumn or spring semester, but the drawback is that most universities charge tuition for this service (which Nigerian students are not eligible for).
Externship
Internships and externships are quite similar, but the latter only last for a significantly shorter time. Job shadowing is another word for externship. These changes tend to provide participants with a firsthand look at what it’s really like to work in a certain job field and provide some professional contacts for future networking, even though they may only last for one day to several weeks. You are reading Introducing Student Internships And Types Of Internships
What Does A Student Really Do?
Contrary to what many people think, an internship doesn’t involve setting up a file cabinet or getting the boss coffee. The duties of an intern have changed over time. You’ll likely work on projects, lead a small team, or even collaborate with executives in many internship programs.
You must approach your internship with the proper attitude. You won’t be as well-prepared and aware of what you must do to succeed if you don’t know what to anticipate from your internship role. Additionally, completing your internship tasks well can help you develop a strong skill set that will serve you well in your next position.
So what precisely does an intern do? That is dependent upon the sector in question and the type of internship you have accepted. Internships in research have a different set of obligations than, for example, internships in accountancy.
At least initially, an intern’s function is essentially one of support. When you sign up, your major responsibilities will be to help, learn, and develop. You’ll be expected to contribute once you’ve settled in.
Here is a general description of the work a Student intern can expect to do:
Support and participate on the team!
Don’t expect to lead a crucial project as an intern right away… at least not yet. You might spend the first few weeks of your internship merely attempting to understand how the business operates. You can work as a coworker’s shadow to learn about the position. after spending a day or a few days getting to know the business inside and out. You’ll start supporting and contributing to the team more.
Here are some day-to-day intern roles and their responsibilities:
- Performing clerical duties: Creating PowerPoint presentations, drafting reports, designing creatives, researching trends, and the like.
- Managing social media and emails: You may be asked to handle the company’s social media accounts, write emails to customers, talk to clients on the phone, and similar duties. Your day may include designing social media posts, scheduling them, and creating a general strategy for your posts.
- Event handling: Student interns are frequently requested to supervise the planning of significant events. You might be requested to assist in getting ready for something crucial. From getting the venue to helping to choose a theme to find your key speakers, we can do it all.
- Research: Interns who have recently graduated from college have a wealth of modern information. Your company might use this information to its advantage by giving you a research position. A new project may require you to investigate it and provide advice on how to best carry it out.
Gain knowledge and experience.
Regardless of the type of internship you’ve chosen, you’ll be expected to learn as much as you can while you work. What kind of education will you pursue? It can be divided into two categories:
Developing hard skills: Hard skills are the technical abilities you need to properly complete your intern duties and, eventually, job responsibilities. Examples include developing management abilities, technical skills, and an awareness of data analytics.
Refreshing your soft skills: Hard skills and soft skills are equally vital. Soft skills are all about your interpersonal communication and relationship-building talents. Examples include emotional intelligence, drive, interpersonal abilities, listening skills, and effective communication. To manage clients, not to mention get along with your employer and coworkers, you need soft skills. Soft skills are essential for managing the workplace and may even help you advance in your career. A word of caution: don’t undervalue them.
Job shadow
Job shadowing has recently become commonplace. While the name implies, the technique requires “shadowing” someone as they go about their everyday tasks, watching what they do, and picking up knowledge about the position through indirect experience. Particularly in practical industries like engineering and healthcare, this is a common practice.
Exactly how does this operate? A mentor may be assigned to you when you join the organization. You might need to accompany them for the first few weeks. As they work, they will instruct you on the job. Occasionally, you can be requested to help out with small jobs. It will be urged upon you to enquire. A great method to have a deeper idea of what it will be like to work in your business on a daily basis is to job shadow.
Following a period of time spent shadowing, you might be invited to assist your mentor with projects or eventually take over some of their duties.
Network
Although networking itself isn’t a prerequisite, it probably should be. Developing relationships with your superiors, coworkers, clients, and consumers are the goal of networking. To develop a great profession, you’ll require the backing and assistance of people in those locations. Additionally, fostering positive relationships with consumers is always advantageous for the business.
Increase your level of responsibility
Expect to take on more and more responsibility as time goes on. With your initial workload, they will first assess your reliability and skill level. You will be given increasingly important jobs as you establish your worth in the eyes of your coworkers and managers. You will be given more tasks as you perform better.
This is a great chance to demonstrate to your employer what you are capable of. Additionally, it can increase your chances of landing a full-time job later. Do not, however, feel that you must carry more than you are capable of. Employers value quality over quantity, so if you need assistance, don’t be hesitant to ask. Interns who can demonstrate that they can handle extra work and adhere to strict deadlines
Conclusion
Typically, internships are just temporary. They need less time and effort than full-time employment. However, they are without a doubt a fantastic use of your time. As a result, they’re ideal chances for you to consider your selections. You should have rewarding work, after all. If necessary, you can apply for an internship position in a different but comparable field somewhere to see if you’re happier there.
Your internship as a student will influence the direction of your career. It will help you develop the abilities you need to function well after you are recruited on a full-time basis. You must take advantage of the training opportunity that your internship offers.
If you put in the effort, cultivate good relationships, and make the most of the skills you get from your internship, your future is certain to be prosperous.
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