What do you do if you want to gain valuable skills in content development through internships?

The point of having a clear goal is that in the middle of your work, you don't get tired. That is the whole point of you you have to love what you do. If not then you are not an internship at all.

First, identify your goals and interests within content development. Do you want to sharpen your writing, learn about SEO, or dive into video production? Knowing what you aim to achieve helps you find internships that align with your aspirations. Once your goals are set, start researching companies or organizations that offer internships in those areas. Don't forget to prepare a strong application showcasing any relevant skills or projects. Throughout your internship, actively seek out projects that align with your interests, and don't hesitate to ask for feedback or additional responsibilities. This proactive approach will not only enhance your skills but also help you build a professional network in your field of interest.

To gain valuable skills in content development through internships, start by identifying relevant opportunities and tailoring your application materials to highlight your writing abilities, creativity, and familiarity with digital tools. Network with professionals in the field, seek recommendations, and prepare for interviews by showcasing your enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. Once you secure an internship, actively participate in content development projects, seek mentorship, and proactively seek feedback to refine your skills. Take advantage of training opportunities to expand your skill set and document your accomplishments to showcase your experience in content development for future endeavors.

One thing I've learned the hard way: you may think that the more comprehensive your experience and portfolio samples are, the better. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. The ATS and even human recruiters who are not the hiring managers don't really understand that job or how to infer anything from what you send them. You have to be explicit and dumb things down. I've explained this way: if the job calls for juggling 4 pins, showing that you've juggled 5 flaming torches could disqualify either because the system thinks you can't do what's asked for because you didn't explicitly say 4 pins or because they'll consider you overqualified, meaning they can get someone cheaper to do the job.

It's a real catch-22 for applicants to know what to include. You don't want to make your application too long because anyone who gets it will likely only glance at it for a few seconds. But if the key thing they think they want is not there, you will instantly be disqualified, and you don't know what will pique their interest (and it may end up being irrelevant in practical terms). For example, I once got a job filling in for a maternity leave as a secretary because my resume included Quickbooks. The guy who decided to hire me liked that because it's what the office used. But here's the thing: I never got to use that software in the context of that job at all. It's what made them see me as qualified, but it wasn't used!

While internship is a great step it isn't a foundational step. A lot of times people think that internships are for undergraduate or newly graduated persons. Those in the middle of their careers too could intern at a company or organisation which is bigger or better than their current one to gain a certain set of skills that the company has to offer. So have an open mind and grab great skills while still climbing higher on your content writing career graph through internships.