Introduction
Have you been in a situation where you wish to pursue an internship job but you are uncertain if you should? If you have, then this blog guides you through the factors you should consider when choosing an internship. We understand the difficulty of knowing if the job opportunity is the right one for you. Therefore, this blog provides a list of questions to reflect on during your decision-making process!
Question 1: Are the internship duties and responsibilities in line with my interests?
The most important thing about an internship job offer is not the compensation, benefits or the location. Although all those aspects are important, the most important thing is the internship itself. To give a few examples, ask yourself questions like:
- “What exactly are the tasks and responsibilities that I will be doing on a day to day basis?”
- “Does the job scope sound exciting to me?”
- “Are these tasks and responsibilities providing me a solid foundation for my next job position?”
Without proper research, you might land yourself in a repetitive internship that feels boring and frustrating. This is where your job performance takes a hit due to your lack of interest. After which, you are going to end up wanting to find a new job that suits you better. That leaves a black mark on your resume if you end up quitting too soon. To avoid this scenario, reflect on the questions posed above for every job opportunity that is presented to you. This method will help ensure that the accepted internship is within your interests.
Question 2: Does the internship provide experience, skills and knowledge to leverage in the future?
No one wants to wind up in a dead-end job. A dead-end position means that there is no room for career advancement and personal growth. These positions deprive you of the opportunity to gain experience, skills and knowledge that you can leverage in the future. Filter these positions and avoid them at all costs. To advance in your career, find an internship that can develop critical skills which will be instrumental in senior roles in the future. Here are some examples of important technical and soft skills:
Examples of Technical Skills:
- Software proficiency
- Technical writing
- Project management
- Data analysis
Examples of Soft Skills:
- Presentation skills
- Communication skills
- Collaboration skills
- Management skills
Question 3: Can I see myself working in this company from an environmental perspective?
It is important to be aware and prepare yourself for these factors as you can’t control them in your position. Understanding team dynamics and work culture will help in determining the suitability of the internship. Although these factors are hard to figure out, base them on your interactions with the people in the company. For example, reflect on the interview process and think back to your interactions with the employees in the company. Based on your experience, ask yourself these questions:
- “Do these employees seem like people you can work well with?”
- “Does the workplace seem like a friendly and comfortable environment?”
- “Does this company facilitate collaboration and open communication?”
Question 4: Is the internship pay in line with my skillset?
Compensation is a key factor as you would want to make sure that you are not underpaid. Ensure that the amount offered is in line with your skillset, abilities and qualifications for that position. You can check whether you are underpaid or not by asking the people around you. For example, if you have friends in similar fields, ask them for a gauge of the market rate for your position. In addition, research online to find out how much companies are willing to pay for people with your skillset for that role. You need to do this research to understand if you are going to earn what you deserve. In a nutshell, if the internship pay fits your research, then you’re good to go!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to pick an internship in which you have an interest. If your heart says that this internship is something that you would like to try out then go for it! During the job, you may realise that you might not be interested in the internship. However, this experience can allow you to get a clearer idea of your preferences and help you in your career path. Hope these questions are beneficial for you, all the best for your future career path!
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