6 Things To Learn During Your Internship

28 May 6 Things To Learn During Your Internship

Doing an internship can be one of the most enriching life experiences you can have. You will learn lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom. It all depends on how much effort you put into it.

1. Career clarity

If you’re unsure if this career path is for you, the best way to dispel any doubt is to experience what working in industry is actually like. Learning about a role/industry and experiencing it are two totally different things. The most important thing for you to focus on during your internship is the transferable skills you can apply anywhere.

Think of it as getting a one month free trial of Netflix before having to commit to the purchase.

2. How to work with others  

All your life you’ve been placed into groups either at school, college or sporting teams. The working environment is no different. It’s important that you carry your weight in a project and complete your task to your best ability and on schedule. Group work is valuable experience to an intern, you’ll learn from others and can contribute in a meaningful way.  

Tip: Be a team player, don’t shy away from helping others in the group and never forget that you’re there to learn, ask questions, be inquisitive.

3. Plan your day/week

It can get stressful trying to squeeze everything into your life while also doing a 9-5 job. 8 hour working days can be the death of some people who’re not familiar to the working world. At first, you may feel like you sold your soul to the devil, but as time progresses you will get into your own groove. Make sure to set some time for leisure to let yourself de-stress.

Tip: Always get 8 hours of sleep!!! Don’t show up to work looking like a zombie.

4. You’re going to make mistakes  

You’re going to make blunders at some stage during your internship. Everyone makes a mistake (even your boss), but it’s all about how you react to the situation. You must analyse what you did, why you did it wrong and how to do it correctly in the future. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel swamped with work. You know what they say – What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

5. Communication  

During your internship, you must communicate in a professional manner to fellow employees. The way you talk to your superiors is different from how you talk to fellow interns.  Notice how others in the organisation interact with one another. You will learn what is the correct and most efficient way to get your message across. This will benefit you when doing interviews and you’re working in a professional environment.

6. Responsibility  

During your internship, you’ll be guided by a mentor, but will also have to make your own decisions regarding your own work from time to time. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas, but always be open to constructive criticism from others, it’s all about making you a more well-rounded member of the team.

So there you have it, 6 things to learn during your internship here in Ireland. You’ll make friends, create memories and expand the skills section on your resume. We can’t wait to guide you through this exciting experience.