What is an internship?
An internship is an opportunity to gain work experience in a particular sector with an employer. An internship gives you an insight into how a business runs, the day to day tasks and actions that need to be fulfilled and the responsibilities of those that work within the sector. An internship gives you first-hand experience of the sector which is invaluable for enabling an individual to have experience of the industry. This is particularly beneficial as many employers prefer their employees to have experience working within the industry before they will even consider taking them on as an employee.
What are the benefits of an internship?
There are many different benefits to an internship as outlined below.
- If you impress in your internship you may have a higher chance of gaining employment within the company or within the industry. A high percentage of interns are offered a permanent or long-term contract after their internship or they were offered further opportunities to progress, eg a graduate scheme.
- You will quickly become knowledgeable about your chosen area and will learn lots of invaluable skills.
- You will gain work experience in the area and this will look great on your CV, making you more employable.
- You will be able to network and make new contacts within your chosen area.
- You will be able to establish whether you do indeed want a career within the area- you may even change your mind and decide it's not for you and that's ok!
You may be able to find the right internship for you by doing a little bit of online research. The world is your oyster in terms of where you can complete your internship and you don't have to simply stay local to home, you may wish to travel abroad for it. For example, in Seoul you would benefit from their impressive international business hub, home to giants like Samsung and Hyundai. A quick internet search, for example by typing 'International Internships Seoul' will help you to narrow down your search. You will also be able to find a specialist company that will support your application and provide the advice and guidance you will need. You may find the company has many other amazing benefits for example, assisting with CV support, workshops and career coaching as well as helping you get settled in your new accommodation. They may provide 24/7 local support whilst living abroad, assist with or arrange your travel and accommodation, orientation once you've arrived, extra activities, and much, much more! This is a great option for those that would like support with all aspects of their internship- it certainly takes the pressure off!
Don't be afraid to reach out to companies yourself to see whether they offer an internship programme. They will appreciate your proactiveness and will be able to advise when they are next likely to be considering candidates for internships.
In most instances you will need to provide a CV, complete an application form and attend an interview- much like a job, so it's really worth researching the company and becoming clear on what their values and aims are.
Are internships paid?
Not all internships are paid, it really depends on your employment status within the company and whether they classify you as a 'worker'. If so, you'll be entitled to National Minimum Wage.
How to make the most of your experience?
One way of ensuring you really make the most of your internship is to prove that you're a reliable and solid worker. Be punctual, be polite, be hardworking, keep busy and be enthusiastic. You will have the opportunity to ask questions to skilled employees helping you to gain lots of insight into the industry so use your time wisely.
An internship is a great way of kickstarting your career. You'll be given invaluable experience in your chosen industry and will learn so many useful skills whilst also gaining knowledge and insight into the day to day running of the company. These skills make you more employable and will help you to be a well-rounded, exceptional and much sought-after employee! Good luck!
*Collaborative post
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