Here's how you can navigate the important factors in choosing an internship.

Internships can absolutely be a valuable way to build your career early on (and I often recommend them to my younger clients), however they’re not always the right choice. To be sure the internship you’re considering is right for you, answer these questions for yourself and your situation: - Does this organisation have clear structures in place to support my skill development during my internship? - Does this internship align with my innate strengths? - Does this internship align with my desired career direction? Ideally, you’re going to want to talk to a previous intern to get “the real story” about the program. You’ll always get positive rosy stories from the company itself.

Choosing an internship to me seems like an easier stop than finding one. I would start with how to find a good internship. and that is most often through your network of coaches, family members, friends, and groups you belong to. My daughter was captain of her Robotics team in High School and ended up building a close relationship with a woman from Siemens who volunteered as a coach for the team. When it came time for my daughter to find an internship her former coach was instrumental in her landing a fantastic internship with Siemens. Still, I would recommend looking past big companies as many smaller companies have great internship opportunities where young people can often get broader and deeper exposure to different parts of a business.

Choosing the right internship is pivotal for your career trajectory. To navigate this decision effectively, consider factors such as industry alignment, company reputation, internship responsibilities, duration and schedule, location, compensation and benefits, networking opportunities, company culture, career development prospects, and feedback mechanisms. Ensuring alignment with your interests, career goals, and values, as well as assessing opportunities for learning, mentorship, and professional growth, will help you make an informed choice that lays a solid foundation for your future endeavors.

Company culture is an key indicator to the quality of your own experience at the internship. I did not ask any questions about company culture for my first internship and that was a mistake. My experience was good but I quickly realized that the internship was not structured well, the teammates were always stressed and communicated with each other aggressively. This negatively impacted the quality of my experience and that made me move away from pursuing a role in that field/industry.

Internships are a great way to learn new skills and expand your network. When deciding upon where you should intern, make sure it aligns with your interests and goals. For example, I knew I wanted to be a healthcare leader in pediatrics or long-term care, so I chose to gain experiences in both those areas. During all of my internships, I was able to meet and network with a variety of people in different roles. These connections can lead to mentorships, references, and potentially job offers.

you might come across multiple internship possibilities, it is important to prioritize those that are relevant to your degree, interests, or areas of expertise. Think about your future goals and avoid picking internships that won't help you at all in future.

Some essentials I share in my program KNOW YOURSELF. Speak to a mentor & take a relevant assessment that gives you unbiased clarity on your strengths, weaknesses, interests & passions. Think about what you would like to do & BECOME as a person in the next 2 yrs. Good mentors & a learning culture are a blessing but don't judge an opportunity just for that. Consider the ROLE & ask Qs as every situation will be learning to prepare you for the future & a full-time role. Carry the GRATITUDE & OPENNESS TO LEARN more than perks, money & comforts. Once you find your footing the rest will follow. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE yourself & get into the spiral of pressure & comparison. NETWORK outside work, build relations & your brand. ENJOY what you do!

Do you see potential mentors ? Mentors specially at this point of career path would have a great effect on an intern. Not just to introduce him to the company, role he will be playing, but rather show an intern the road from a helicopter view. Mentors affect our personalities. They shape how we think. They affect our ethics. These are much important bigger wins.

What are the important factors to consider when selecting an internship? Internships provide students with an amazing opportunity to develop key technical and power skills they will need. If faced with internship options consider these factors when making your decision: 1. Company size - Try to experience different companies sizes and structures 2. Role & Skills - What new skills you will be given an opportunity to learn and develop? 3. Network - Consider who you will have an opportunity to work with and learn from 4. Responsibilities & Mandate - Does the role provide you with an opportunity to do meaningful work and deliver results? These are 4 of the considerations I recommend