An internship is the first step towards holding a real job. It is the first glimpse that one gets from an industry. Therefore, without any doubt, this experience is very important. Take it from us; it is better to have no internship than being stuck at a bad one.
The idea of what makes an internship good totally varies from person to person. However, in general, an internship that teaches you something relevant to your field and that allows you to grow as a professional are the marks of a good one.
You will get tons of internships if you search on the internet. However, not all internships are worth your time. You have to really filter out the search results to make a list of good internships. To find some of the finest internships, you can try the job search with Lensa.
Following is a list of points that will allow you to filter out results and get your dream internship.
- Have clarity on what you want from the internship
Before conducting a search we recommend you find out what you want from an internship. What your dream internship looks like?
Is it in a big shot company? What are the hours that you want to work? Which industry do you want to work in? Are you looking just for paid internships?
These are some questions whose answers you must know. Make a list of the things you are looking for in an internship. When you have made this list, divide the points into two groups namely needs and wants.
2. Do plenty of research
Now, that you are done with your requirements it is time to do some detective work. No company in this world will tell you that their internship program is a total waste of time. You have to find out such information yourself. Therefore, you need to do some research on companies.
How do you go about it? Simple! You have to check out employee reviews on websites like Glassdoor. Find Google reviews on the company and also don’t forget to check out the company’s social media handles.
With a thorough background check, you can easily find out if an internship with the company is worth it.
3. How to get the internship you want
To land the internship that you have set your eyes on, you have to make the company want you. How can you do that? You can do that by telling them what you can offer them.
You can make a list of all your good qualities. In the interview, you can tell them about how you are different from other candidates and how the company can benefit from your qualities.
Show them your portfolio if you have some experience in say writing, video editing, photography, etc.
4. What will be your responsibilities as an intern
The worst kind of internship is where you feel you are not learning anything and are wasting your time. To avoid being in such a situation, read the internship description very carefully. If you have any doubts regarding what you will be expected do then ask in the interview. Be very clear on what type of work you will be doing during the internship.
5. Decline a bad offer
There are chances that after sitting for several rounds of interviews you may decide that this internship is not what you were looking for. If that is the case, then don’t be afraid to walk away.
There can also be some incidents where the company expects more from you than what was initially posted. If you find such things later then remember it’s not too late to decline the offer. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you just because you don’t have experience.
Final Thoughts
Internships are important, but bad internships can be a total waste of time. These useful pointers will help you avoid bad internships and shortlist some good ones.