How To Take Control And Nail Your Internship In 4 Steps

“An internship is a fantastic chance to get to grips with the
demands of the world of work, and if you approach it correctly,
you will not only add valuable experience to your CV, but
potentially even be able to make such an impression that you
are considered for a full-time position,” says Elbie
Liebenberg, Principal of Oxbridge Academy, which serves more
than 20 000 South African distance learning students every
year.

But she warns that interns should bring their A-game if they
want to reap the full rewards of the opportunity.

The first rule of being an intern is to take your
professionalism to the next level, she says.

“This means that you need to dress neatly and appropriately for
the role, always be punctual, be willing to learn, and complete
your tasks to the best of your ability, even if those tasks
seem boring or mundane.

“Also, be friendly and polite to everyone, and stay away from
office gossip.”

Once the first rule has been observed, there are four other
ways in which interns can really make themselves stand out to
catch the eye of the company’s decision makers and hiring
managers, she says.

UNDERSTAND THE ENVIRONMENT AND STAY BUSY WITH RELEVANT
TASKS

“Too often, interns find that those around them are too busy to
delegate work, and then they end up bored and sitting on social
media all day long waiting for something to come their way.
Soon the few weeks or months of the internship will be over,
and the opportunity completely wasted,” notes Liebenberg.

The way to counter this is to research the company, network
with those around you, learn and understand what they are
doing, and offer to help out with tasks rather than wait for
tasks to be assigned to you.

“Always show that you are interested in learning by asking
questions, offering assistance, and giving input where you can.
And don’t be afraid to speak up about your ideas.

“The more you contribute, and the more you complete tasks
successfully, the bigger the likelihood that more and more work
will be passed your way. By the end of your internship, you
will have made yourself a useful part of the team, and
employers may decide that you will be a valuable permanent
addition.

“Even if that does not happen, you will be assured of a
glowing recommendation, and you’ll have learned important
skills that will stand you in good stead when going to
interviews and when starting your first real job.”

FIND A MENTOR AND BUILD YOUR NETWORK

“An internship allows you to build professional relationships
with people in your field, which means that even if you don’t
land a position at the company where you are interning, your
new contacts are likely to alert you to any suitable
opportunities that arise in the industry,” says Liebenberg.

“It’s also a good idea to find a mentor, someone who has been
in the industry or the company for a few years, who can guide
you and advise you about your field and about those practical
aspects you wouldn’t have learned about during your studies.”

ASK FOR HELP

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