Empowering Your Career Journey: The Ultimate Internship Handbook for Students and Interns

What is an internship?

The position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification is Called “INTERNSHIP”. According to its Payment methods internship is divided into three types. They are,

• Paid internship
• Unpaid internship
• Partially paid internship

Benefits of an internship

An internship provides students a stepping to their career journey and it helps them to gain many benefits related to their career, following are some crucial benefits of them;

• Expand your skill - Apart from the academic qualifications, students need to know some other skills to perform well in their careers. So being an Intern will help them to learn those skills that are necessary to build a successful career.
• Identify the future path - The internship will help to step into the practical world from the theoretical world. So It will help them to gain some experience and will pay a path for them to identify their future.
• Improve the personality - Internships help students to develop important professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. These skills are essential for success in any career.
• Gain experiences - Internships provide students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the classroom to real-world situations. This can help students to better understand and retain the information they have learned, and it can also help them develop new skills and knowledge.
• Build a network - Internships will provide the students a platform to develop professional connections and make new friends in their field. It will help them to stabilize their place in the industrial world.
• Boost the resume and secure job stability - Internships can help students enhance their resume and make themselves more competitive in the job market. Employers are often impressed with students who have internship experience, as it demonstrates that they are motivated and have a commitment to their field.
• Get a high salary potential - Having previous work experience will distinguish you from the other candidates. So it will boost your chances to get paid more than others.

In the modern era, many companies are paying attention to hiring Interns, because internships can provide several benefits to the companies. Including,

• Ease workload - nterns will help the companies to ease their workloads as Interns can be assigned to help with tasks such as data entry, research, or administrative work, which can free up employees to focus on more important tasks. This can be especially helpful during busy periods or when the company is facing staffing shortages.
• Enable employees to focus on higher-level tasks - By completing the elementary tasks by Interns, the Company can ease the workload of the employees and it helps them to step towards the upper-level tasks with high energy.
• Utilize a cost-effective employment strategy - Interns can be paid or not paid. So it will help the companies to find the top performing staff with a minimum cost.
• Finding top talent - Internships can be a great way to identify and recruit top talent. Companies can use internships to assess interns' skills, work ethic, and fit with the company culture. If an intern performs well, the company may offer them a full-time position after graduation.
• Improve morale - Interns can bring fresh and positive energy to the workplace. They can also help to improve morale by working on projects that are meaningful and challenging.
• Get Fresh Ideas - Interns often come to companies with new ideas and perspectives that can help to challenge the status quo and spark innovation. They may also have specialized knowledge of new technologies or trends that can be beneficial to the company.
• Prepare tomorrow’s workforce - Internships not only help companies fulfill short-term staffing needs but also we can push them up into our future employee asset.
• Take advantage of students’ tech and social media savvy - Nowadays the younger generation is being updated in handling new technologies and social media. This update will help the company to face the barriers in those fields.

Why is an internship important?

From the student’s perspective, internships capture an intangible aspect of higher learning that is often lacking in classrooms and textbooks: the value of real-world experience. While this can be conveyed, to some extent, with class projects, case studies, and clinical observation, nothing quite compares to the experience of being immersed in a fast-paced work environment.

For employers, internships provide a powerful recruitment opportunity. Through these programs, organizations can capture fresh talent and shape a new generation of hardworking employees. The risk of taking on an intern is minimal, as employers only commit to working with interns for a few short months. If they are pleased with the intern’s performance, employers can make a greater commitment while streamlining the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes.

What are the things students need to consider before an internship?

1. Create your CV/Resume

   In the job world, CVs play a major role in ensuring one’s job. CV is the shortened form of the curriculum vitae. It is a formal form that contains the professional qualifications, and skills of a person. It will help us to create an impression among the employers about how you suit the particular job.

   There are no restrictions to create a CV. But a good CV will contain,

   • A header with your contact information
   • A professional summary
   • Detail of your educational qualifications
   • Your work experience
   • Your relevant skills
   • Additional sections
     - such as awards and honors, professional memberships, fieldwork, grants, fellowships, or scholarships

2. Create a cover letter

   A cover letter typically accompanies your resume when you apply for jobs and internships. This letter introduces you as a candidate and articulates your qualifications for the position. So apart from a CV, It’s essential to create a cover letter to create a higher impression to the employers.

   Students must consider the following factors before writing a cover letter. They are,

   • Research the employer thoroughly
   • Read and analyze the position description and availability period carefully
   • Review your past experiences and skills and determine which are most relevant to this position and the particular employer.
   • Look for the name of the specific person to whom you will address the letter and locate the company’s address

3. Format of a cover letter

   Name

   Title according to your profession

   Contact details

   Mr/Mrs,

   Heading

   Body of letter

   • Brief info about you

   • Your interests

   • How do you get to know about the above job

   • Your qualifications for the above job

   • Your previous experiences

   • Conclusion

   • Thank you for taking some time to review you

   Yours,

   Name

4. Professional social media

   Apart from CV and cover letters, managing some social media accounts in a professional manner makes you a significant candidate among employers. Nowadays the world accelerates according to social media. So being able to handle them is a must to announce them as a professional one.

   Many social media platforms help you to get attention from the real world. Among them, LinkedIn, Twitter, Meta(Facebook) & Instagram play a vital role in keeping a professional profile. Among these social media sites, LinkedIn plays a major role when it comes to finding a job through your profile. So let’s take a look at it.

   Linked in

   • Update a suitable profile picture - This is the first impression for fellow accounts when they approach you. So having a professional and updated profile is the key thing when we create an account for ourselves.
   • Create a personal URL - It is because the default URL will contain some numbers randomly and it may look unprofessional while sharing the LinkedIn contact.
   • Update your profile - After creating an account. You must update it regularly as it will help you to get more attention and job alerts through the media. Otherwise, it will reduce the trust between you and the Employer.
   • Stay active - Visit your page regularly, post, comment, and connect with others to stay updated through your connections.
   • Share your organization’s contents - It will showcase your previous experiences and It will help you to gain more connections who are related to your Interests.
   • Write your articles - It is one of the best platforms to share your talents in any field. You can use this platform to showcase your abilities such as Poems, Social awareness, and IT-related skills.
   • Don’t be too descriptive - Remember this is not a CV or portfolio. You need to provide some information about your professionality but not all about you. It will affect the look of your profile and can lead to unnecessary threats.

5. Interview

   Before the interview:

   • Research the company and the role. The more you know about the company and the role you are interviewing for, the better prepared you will be able to answer questions and show the interviewer that you are interested in the position.

     This will help you understand what the company does, what the role entails, and what skills and experience they are looking for. You can research the company on its website, social media, and news articles. You can also talk to people who work at the company or who have interviewed there in the past.

   • Practice answering common interview questions. There are several common interview questions that you can practice answering in advance. This will help you to feel more confident and prepared on the day of the interview.

     There are several common interview questions that you can expect to be asked, such as "Tell me about yourself"  and "Why are you interested in this position?"   Practice answering these questions out loud so that you can deliver your answers confidently and concisely. You can also find lists of common interview questions online.

   • Prepare your questions. It is also a good idea to prepare a few questions of your own to ask the interviewer. This shows that you are interested in the company and the role and that you have done your research.
   • Dress professionally. First impressions matter, so it is important to dress professionally for your interview. This means wearing clean, neat, and appropriate clothing.
   • Arrive on time. Punctuality is important, so be sure to arrive on time for your interview. If you are running late, be sure to call the interviewer as soon as possible to let them know.

   During the interview:

   • Be polite and respectful. Be sure to be polite and respectful to the interviewer throughout the interview. This includes making eye contact, speaking clearly, and listening attentively.
   • Be confident. Confidence is key in an interview. Even if you are feeling nervous, try to project confidence. This will help you to make a good impression on the interviewer.
   • Be honest and genuine. Be honest and genuine in your answers to the interviewer's questions. Don't try to be someone you're not.
   • Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask the interviewer questions about the company, the role, or the interview process. This shows that you are interested in the position and that you have done your research.

   After the interview:

   • Send a thank-you note. After the interview, be sure to send a thank-you note to the interviewer. This is a polite way to show your appreciation for their time and consideration to reiterate your interest in the position.

   Here are some additional tips:

   • Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. The interviewer wants to get to know the real you.
   • Be positive and enthusiastic. Show the interviewer that you are excited about the opportunity to work for their company and you are very eager to learn and grow your skills.
   • Be prepared to talk about your skills and experience. Be able to articulate your skills and experience and how they relate to the role you are interviewing for.
   • Be prepared to discuss your career goals. The interviewer may ask you about your career goals. Be able to articulate your goals and how the role you are interviewing for fits into your overall career plan.
   • Be respectful. Be polite to the interviewer and everyone else you meet at the company.

6. What should an Intern should do during the internship?

   • Be proactive and take initiative. Don't wait for your manager to assign you tasks. Ask questions, offer to help with projects, and be willing to go the extra mile. This will show your manager that you are motivated and eager to learn.
   • Be reliable and dependable. Show up to work on time, meet deadlines, and produce high-quality work. This will help you to build trust and credibility with your manager and colleagues.
   • Be open to feedback. Be willing to listen to feedback from your manager and colleagues, and use it to improve your performance. This shows that you are committed to professional development.
   • Network with your colleagues. Get to know your colleagues and build relationships with them. This can lead to valuable mentorship opportunities and job offers in the future.
   • Make the most of your learning opportunities. Ask questions, attend workshops and training sessions, and shadow experienced employees. This will help you to learn new skills and knowledge that will be valuable in your future career.
   • Have a positive attitude. Be enthusiastic and positive about your work. This will create a positive work environment for yourself and your colleagues.

   Here are some additional tips for making the most of your internship:

   • Set goals for yourself. What do you want to learn or achieve during your internship? Once you know your goals, you can develop a plan to achieve them.
   • Keep track of your progress. Keep a journal or portfolio to document your work and your progress. This will help you to reflect on your learning and to identify areas where you need to improve.
   • Get feedback from your manager. Ask your manager for feedback on your work regularly. This will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses and to make necessary adjustments.
   • Celebrate your successes. Take the time to celebrate your successes, both big and small. This will help you to stay motivated and to enjoy your internship experience.

7. After internship

   • Thank you letters/post. It is not necessary but they will help you gain some respect or good impression from your former company and others. It will help you in your future career path.
   • Update. Update yourself in your social media and CV.
   • Next step. learn/career-decide about your future career path and go for it!

List of soft and hard skills that an intern should improve

Soft skills:

• Communication: This includes both verbal and written communication, as well as the ability to listen actively and effectively.
• Teamwork: The ability to work collaboratively with others towards a common goal.
• Problem-solving: The ability to identify and solve problems creatively and effectively.
• Adaptability: The ability to learn new things quickly and adapt to change.
• Time management: The ability to manage one's time effectively and meet deadlines.
• Professionalism: This includes being reliable, punctual, and dressed appropriately.

Hard skills:

• Technical skills: This will vary depending on the field of internship, but may include proficiency in software programs, coding languages, or other technical skills.
• Industry knowledge: A basic understanding of the industry in which you are interning.
• Research skills: The ability to conduct research and gather information effectively.
• Analytical skills: The ability to analyze data and draw conclusions.
• Writing skills: The ability to write clear and concise reports and other documents.

In addition to these general skills, interns should also focus on developing the skills that are most relevant to their desired career path. For example, if you are interning as a software engineer, you would want to focus on developing your coding skills and knowledge of programming languages.

Here are some tips for improving your soft and hard skills as an intern:

• Be proactive and take initiative.
• Ask questions and seek out feedback.
• Volunteer for new tasks and challenges.
• Be willing to learn.
• Take advantage of training and development opportunities.
• Network with other interns and employees.

What should a company do about an intern?

• Provide a structured and meaningful internship experience. This means having a clear plan for each intern, with specific learning objectives and projects. Interns should also have the opportunity to work on real-world projects that make a difference to the company.
• Assign a mentor to each intern. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and feedback to interns throughout their internship. Mentors can also help interns to develop their skills and knowledge and network with other employees.
• Offer regular feedback and coaching. Interns need to know how they are performing and where they can improve. Companies should provide regular feedback and coaching to interns, both formally and informally.
• Create a supportive and inclusive work environment. Interns should feel welcome and valued at the company. Companies should create a supportive and inclusive work environment where interns feel comfortable asking questions and making mistakes.
• Provide opportunities for career development. Companies should help interns to develop their skills and knowledge and to prepare for their future careers. This may involve providing interns with access to training and development resources or helping them to network with other professionals in their field.

Here are some additional tips for companies on how to manage interns:

• Set clear expectations. Make sure that interns know what is expected of them in terms of their work, their behavior, and their communication.
• Provide regular feedback. Let interns know how they are doing and where they can improve. Be specific and constructive in your feedback.
• Give interns opportunities to learn and grow. Assign them challenging projects and give them the resources they need to succeed.
• Make interns feel valued. Involve them in social activities and events, and introduce them to other employees.
• Consider hiring interns as full-time employees after their internship ends. This is a great way to retain talented employees and build a strong pipeline of future leaders.

Internships serve as a vital bridge between academic knowledge and professional application. For students, it's an opportunity to grow, learn, and pave the way for a successful career. Embrace the journey, seize every opportunity, and let your internship be the stepping stone to a brighter future.