What are the most important factors to consider when choosing an internship?

Sometimes students or fresh graduates do not yet know their interest/career aspirations. They have little or no clues how the corporate works, the career path, and how well they can fit or contribute through the internship. Many companies who are experienced and specifically use internship as a way to source candidates and providing CSR are well aware the internship main goal is to learn the working world, and therefore will be more focus on giving a glimpse of experience, giving low risks tasks that may increase in term of complexity depends on the interns' capability to learn. So it is ok if intern candidates are not yet able to specify their goals, because the main purpose of internship is mainly to explore.

Many young people think of an internship as a mere requirement to finish their course and get their degree. But as a recruiter, I have seen how this early stage can shape their career development. Choosing an internship that aligns with your major, your passion and your career goal can give you a lot of advantages over your peers in terms of your work experience. But if you settle for an internship that has nothing to do with your major, just to tick a box, you might end up in a dead-end job that does not suit your career path and fall behind the others when you try to get back on track.

Internship allows us to apply classroom knowledge to the real-world. While considering an internship, the foremost factor should be the alignment of the internship with your academic & career objectives. Established organizations provide a more structured & reputable internship experience. However, startups & smaller companies can also offer valuable, hands-on learning opportunities. Therefore, it's advisable to evaluate the quality of the learning experience the company offers. Additionally, gaining insights into the company's work culture is crucial. These details can be acquired by asking questions during the interview & by networking with current employees, delving deep into their experiences to gain a more comprehensive understanding

An internship is a great way to address any gaps you have in your resume and an even better time to try something new! This is your opportunity to learn what you like/what you don't like and adjust your long-term goals accordingly. For example, you may have always pictured yourself working at a larger corporation, but an internship at a smaller non-profit might help you learn that you like the flexibility and agility of smaller teams. You may have always pictured yourself working in public relations, but in practice, you might enjoy digital marketing more.

An internship provides an experiential learning opportunity that can enhance the career decision-making process. When applying for an internship, one should have some clear goals, such as what skills, knowledge, and activities one wants to gain, observe, and engage in during the internship. An important feature of the internship should be regular feedback sessions with a supervisor to ensure that the internship meets and adapts to the learning needs. Furthermore, an internship can expose the less visible aspects of a job or organization that may not be apparent from a theoretical or idealized perspective.

Although an internship is often see as an extended interview where the company evaluates you, it is a two way street. An internship allows you to evaluate the company and that particular team. Make it a point to meet as many people as possible. Often your university is a great connecting point so look for alumni who work in any area of the company.

An internship that is mostly or wholly remote may seem appealing but may provide you with very limited exposure to people beyond your specific area, or even in your own unit. That can make you feel isolated, unsure of whom to turn to for information and unable to assess the place for long-term fit. Think about how you can best balance flexibility and connectedness, given your temperament, time zones, etc.

Remember that different companies vary in culture, even if they uphold similar values and ideals. One of the best ways to learn more about how a company's culture differs is to find people who currently work at that company and ask detailed questions. By exploring conversations with different people, it will be easier to piece together what the norms and nuances of the working environment there is like.

Don't be afraid to ask at your interview, not just what is the office culture like, but also ask about the values of the company especially the business ethics. Your internship(s) can very often influence answers you give when interviewing for a career and if you intern with a company that promotes dubious business ethics, that may cost you a position with a reputable company at a later date. Apart from that, why would you want to support a company that isn't doing the right thing?

Agree ?? %. You must do your homework and get as much information as possible about your future working environment. This is a key point

As a first-generation college student and POC who grew up low-income, the idea of taking an unpaid internship was not an option. STEM internships are more likely to pay for your time, though the idea of expecting bonuses, or health insurance, probably shouldn't be your expectation. As with any job, find an internship that pays fairly and makes you feel valued for your time and effort.

Compensation is always an important factor when choosing any job. What that compensation requirement is varies based on your financial position. You should never go into debt to work for someone else. With that being said an Internship search/choice is not about being receiving the most money. The best internship will set you up for a career and a full time role that will compensate you as you see fit and give you a career boost.

Engana-se quem pensa que etágiário n?o precisa ser bem remunerado. Além da bolsa de estágio muitas empresas estendem seus benefícos aos estagiários pensando no engajamento e reten??o. Durante o programa de estágio é importante que o estudante tenha condi??es de manter seus custos e se sinta gratificado por seu desempenho desta forma escolher uma oportunidade com um bolsa alinhada aos seus objetivos e necessidade é importante.

Compensaron package is important and you must focused on benefits than salary. You must look in hidden letters like overtime for examples

Acredito que a remunera??o é um dos fatores que consideramos na hora de buscar um estágio. Devemos levar em conta, tudo de valor que está envolvido nesse estágio. A remunera??o vai muito além do salário. Alguns profissionais acreditam e enxergam apenas o ponto X. Que é o salário. N?o levando em conta tudo que está envolvido. O aprendizado adquirido, o aumento do networking, o desenvolvimento pessoal, a cultura do país, O dia a dia que abre portas e oportunidades distintas para nossa carreira. Logo, devemos considerar todos os valores adquiridos e desenvolvidos. N?o focar apenas do salário fixo, oferecido. Todos nós devemos ser remunerados e valorizado pelo nosso trabalho.

Most summer internships are 11 - 12 weeks and depending on the type of industry and the type of internship, you may need all of that time to learn enough to make the internship valuable. Internships should be based on education. Without the education it just becomes a part time job. In many cases you are learning something completely new and many good companies will structure their internships during the summer. If you plan time away from the internship, it could cost you lost knowledge and understanding. It might also prevent you from obtaining the internship in the first place. Something to consider when seeking an internship and questions worth asking during the interview process.

Actually I am not 100% agree. Any time of experience will add value to your career growth, it is more important the quality than the quantity

It is important to note a big factor behind how much constructive and regular feedback you get is the relationship you set up with your manager and your manager's commitment to your growth as an intern. It is always good to ask a question like "How do you prefer giving feedback?" before you start at the internship.

Open and clear feedback will be always well appreciated. Feedback highlighting the good things and the things I need to improve is very very important

A good company will provide feedback to the students through both self-evaluation and trainer evaluation and focus on continuous improvement. A big part of every internship is being listened to and a good company should have a way for students to voice their opinions and should not just listen to them, but act upon their ideas and comments. Some companies do student surveys where they get to score their mentors and suggest improvements in the internship program and ideas for the overall improvement of the company. Strong companies will listen carefully to these ideas because some of the people giving them could be the future leaders of that company.

Without a constructive feedback received during and after internship it could be waste of efforts, spending weeks in a program without getting the opportunity to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Feedback should be given in regural manner. Also you should ask about the way you will be evaluated and how your performance will be assessed, You should ask about the expected performance from you during the internship.

This is the two-way street, what you give in is what you get out. Knowing your time is limited as an intern, make it count. Ask questions, ask for feedback, step out of your comfort zone. Give your supervisor, your peers and clients a chance to get to know you, even small interactions can go a long way!

How you will stand out from the other applicants is probably the most asked question. My advise is proper preparation. This starts at the very beginning. You identify several quality companies that you want to find out more about, you do your research on that company. The next step is being recognized so make sure your resume is up to date and make sure it looks professional. You should then research the key people who can help you get into that company and reach out to them on LinkedIn. Following them may get their attention but a personal note to them asking them to connect will get more attention. Tell them about your interest in their company, never send a request to connect without an explanation.

Internships are wonderful ways to test out potential career paths and very often result in a potential full time job after college. As amazing as your internship may be, the actual job may be very different so get used to a period of adjustment from intern to full time employee.

Knowing that key-words can be a deciding factor in the initial selection process, do not hide your relevant school or project work. Make sure to mention where you have gained a similar experience, whether in an extra-curricular or volunteer experience. Hiring managers look for where the interest for their position and company is coming from, show them how you can contribute to the team!

The intent matters too. I have seen cases where the intern joins an org and post 2 months gets disillusioned about the work they are doing. Impacts their performance and hits their chances of getting an offer. A frame I would recommend - 1. Answer the WHY - for e.g. Why this org, why this role, why am I doing it... Its going beyond the surface and identifying values & beliefs that align with the work. 2. Answer the WHAT - Be specific on your needs that you want to achieve and align it with the outcomes of the work. 3. Answer the HOW - What resources, help etc would I need to enable me in the role, who can I reach out to etc...

I also think it’s important to consider college senior interns to look at a company’s commitment to bringing interns in on a full time basis after graduation. There are a lot of companies that invest a great deal of time and training into their internship programs, and naturally bringing the intern on as a full time employee continues the employee engagement and returns on both the company and intern’s investment in the internship. Relationships built by interns during their tenure can easily turn into offers of permanent employment.

I once applied for an Internship at an enterprise sports retailer. The company got back to me for a different internship position, due to key-words found in a project experience in my resume. Take your time to write and re-write your resume for specific positions, hiring managers can't know what you don't tell them.

Choosing the right internship is a critical career decision. Consider your career goals, ensuring the internship aligns with your long-term aspirations. Evaluate the company culture to find a fit that complements your personality and preferences. Weigh compensation fairly, balancing financial needs with the experience gained. Carefully assess the internship's duration to ensure it fits your schedule and objectives. Seek regular and constructive feedback for your growth. Lastly, prepare a standout application, showcasing your passion and qualifications. Your internship should be a stepping stone towards a successful career.

Starting my career with an internship, taught me its value. The best internships are those that align with your career goals and offer a rich learning environment. When evaluating potential internships, it's crucial to consider the company culture to ensure it supports your personal and professional growth. Compensation, while important, should not be the sole focus; the skills and networks you develop are invaluable. Ensure that the internship duration fits your schedule and that the role offers constructive feedback for your development. In your application, highlight how your skills and the company's needs align. Remember, a successful internship experience begins with a strategic choice that supports your long-term career aspirations.