What do you do if you're unsure which factors to consider when choosing a renewable energy internship?

I personally do not agree with most internships as they can be unpaid which is somewhat unfair as the intern ends up doing good work that contributes to your company’s productivity and profits

When choosing an internship in renewable energy, it is essential to consider several factors to ensure the experience matches your goals and aspirations. Here are some key factors to consider: Area of focus: Determine your specific interests in the field of renewable energy. Are you interested in solar, wind, hydroelectric, biomass or another form of renewable energy? Look for internships that match your preferred area of focus to gain relevant experience. Company or organization: Research the reputation, values and goals of the company or organization offering the internship. Consider factors like company culture, commitment to sustainability, and potential for growth and mentoring opportunities.

Conducting thorough research on prospective internship opportunities is important to ensuring a valuable learning and setting the stage for future career success. Seek out organizations with well-established internship programs that demonstrate a commitment to nurturing their interns. Prioritize organizations that value the contributions of interns, assign mentors, and foster a supportive learning environment. Inputs from individuals who have previously interned at the company can offer invaluable guidance. A internship also enhances your prospects of securing future employment. Therefore, investing time and effort into researching and selecting the right internship can significantly impact your career trajectory.

In order to get project exposure and see a broad spectrum of tasks I would always recommend to do at least one internship with a small company or a startup. If you find the right company your learning and experience gain can be tremendous. Also many companies as ours do internship for scouting reasons. It is a great way to see if you fit a company's culture as well as an opportunity to potentially get a job offer afterwards (in case you have profen yourself).

While choosing internships, the skills that can be learned or developed in the process should be given high weightage. Understand your interests and areas you'd like to explore before hand. Technical expertise in renewable energy technologies is gained by default in any good internship, but if you intend to hone your data analysis skills for optimizing system performance or cultivate project management abilities, look for such opportunities in the project assigned or ensure you discuss this with your mentor/manager early on. Problem solving, effective communication and presentation skills are the key transferrable skills which will need attention throughout the internship to reap maximum benefits out of the opportunity.

An internship serves as more than just a learning experience—it's an opportunity to bolster your future career prospects. Many organizations frequently extend full-time job offers to interns, making it essential to identify these potential pathways early on. Beyond the immediate prospect of securing a job, internships offer a valuable opportunity to cultivate a professional network. Take the time to assess the career advancement and networking opportunities provided by the company's internship program. Understanding how a company supports interns in building connections and advancing their careers can have long-term benefits for your professional trajectory.