Internship, getting prepared for the job market

With the increasing trend of pursuing business education in Bangladesh, the word 'internship' has become very familiar to all. By definition, internships are training periods for graduates or students who wish to hone their professional skills before entering the real battlefield of jobs. It can also be a requirement for the completion of an academic degree. Internships can be both part time or full time, paid or unpaid. But things like these hardly matter, what matters the most is whether there is an opportunity to learn.

Dealing with the questions

Many questions might revolve in one's mind while deciding about starting an internship. One of the first queries is why one should do an internship. People take up an internship for various reasons. An internship should offer an individual value for the time he/she invests. It should provide him/her with a reality check on how things would be once they enter the practical work life. This factor alone can guide one's decision to choose from multiple options. It is always wiser to take up an internship that provides an individual with a learning opportunity and enriches his/her CV rather than one that gives just a handsome salary.

Another critical factor in deciding on an internship can be future plans. Aligning internship work with one's plan allows one to get a head start in a career. For example, if someone wants to pursue higher education abroad, an internship or experience in the development sector always helps. Similarly, if someone plans on a career in marketing, the first-hand experience in digital marketing or market data research will help to go up the ladder.

Understanding the right time for enrolling

 Many educational institutions require students to take organisational training or internship after the completion of formal courses.  Part-time opportunities are available in various organisations throughout the year. Ideally, one should start planning to get some work experience during his/her second/ third year. A good plan is to utilise vacations or semester breaks to join full-time internships for a month or so. However, while doing an internship, it is essential to understand that this is an added quality and one should not compromise academic performance to meet such internship goals.

Networking and interacting with relevant people

In this highly competitive world, every day is a race to survive. However, surviving alone can be difficult. Internships come with myriads of networking chances. Internships are your opportunities to know people, to socialise with the co-workers and to feel how it is to be in their places. Every person is unique, and there is something to learn from everyone. So, it is vital that interns know people, embrace their diversities and qualities and create a network of people who will be there whenever they need-- be it for employment purposes, career advices or even personal issues. An internship opportunity can help an individual find out a mentor who can be their protégé and guide him/her to reach his/her aims and aspirations. Networking might not take necessarily someone high up, but it will give him/her the initial push needed to launch his/her career.

Staying proactive is important

Internships are often far from the initial expectations. One might expect that he/she would be driving sales and doing fascinating things, but all he/she might end up doing is photocopying, scanning, or sitting around doing nothing. However, even if you have the small job of scanning documents, be enthusiastic. Always be on one's toes for any job that requires to be done. It is foolish to be disheartened, complain about such chores and put up a gloomy face. Instead, try to do any work cheerfully, try to go the extra mile. If an individual faces a problem while working on any project assigned, he/she should not just report about the issues to their supervisors. In fact, they should try to go back to them with alternatives to solve problems. They should try to add a touch of their creativity and ideas even to the smallest of works.

Most importantly, individuals should try to take responsibilities on their own. They should engage in conversations with their supervisors and try to solicit guidance and feedback from them. They are experienced people, and their feedback can help prepare for the upcoming professional life.

Being professional and adapting to the environment

Internship is an opportunity to prove yourself to an organisation and to make them aware of your abilities and qualities. You need to utilise the time to make the most of it. Although internships may be taken lightly by many organisations and considered a mere corporate exposure, nothing can be an excuse to be unprofessional during this time. Time management is of utmost importance. In case of a full-time internship, an intern should come to office on time and not leave until is told to do so. In case of part-time, an intern should maintain the minimum required hours and try to complete all assigned works within the designated hours. Deadlines should never be missed, and procrastination should not be a way of life. Any absence and late cases should be notified beforehand, and communication should maintain professional etiquettes. It is important to remember that one may not get chances repeatedly to show one’s worth. So they should try to be the best version of themselves.

Remember that any opportunity is worth it if one can make the best of it. The undergraduate years are the right time to prepare oneself for the job market, and internships can be valuable for the required preparations. So, choose wisely and prepare diligently.

The writer has recently completed her BBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA),

University of Dhaka.

She can be reached at [email protected]