Internship - A Reciprocal Journey

Approximately 3 months ago, I set out via a post on LinkendIn, my advice / tips to those applying for internship (aside from the usual feedback about cover letters and CVs / Resumes). Here’s the link - https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/choo-dee-wei-16ba4642_students-internship-opportunities-activity-6827559982024814592-38iL

That post stemmed from several untoward and unpleasant incidents concerning interns (thankfully just a handful) deciding to just squander the offers given (which they accepted) at the 11th hour. In my obvious naivety, I thought the post would give an insight as to my frustration. Sadly, I was mistaken.

Here is the process I employ when taking on interns (which will explain the level of my frustration):- ?

1.?????????????????When applicants send in their application, I never ever look at their academic transcripts. I only look at aspects that make them uniquely them;

2.?????????????????Once I find that, I make a call to them personally. The “interview” is by way of a chat. When asked why they applied, for the most part it’s because their friends recommended. When pressed further, it’s because the internship scope is beyond photocopying, binding documents and translation; and ???

3.?????????????????The offer is then made to them via email to which they accept.

PS. It’s a paid internship. ?

With every batch of interns, we hold either a simulated hearing or trial. This essentially means that for several hours we dedicate time towards it outside of practice. Do we need to do it? Not at all. Is it appreciated? Absolutely no idea. ?

When I bemoan about my frustration to my peers, I am told that it’s my fault. Simply because I make it so easy that some won’t appreciate the opportunity. In my explanation that I want to give chances (because I put myself in the applicants’ position), I am still met with the answer that it would go unappreciated. ?

Hence the reason for this article. I now find myself caught between a rock and a hard place.

With certain quarters alleging or making snide remarks about how employers / partners taking advantage and oppressing interns, here is the side of the former. Whether this has weight, I guess not since the narrative is that this a David and Goliath perspective. ??

To conclude on a very disappointed tone, here is a reproduction of my previous post:-

“1. ?????If you receive a prompt reply where the firm expresses interests in accepting your application, please don't give half-baked answers such as having to obtain parents' consent or about existing considerations which you just realised but never raised in your application;

2. ???????If you are going to have to hide behind half-baked answers, don't apply from the get-go. It's either you are an adult capable of making decisions about your future or you are not. You cannot have it both ways;

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3. ???????If you have accepted an internship offer, go through with it (barring severe unforeseen circumstances, to which it must be conveyed at the earliest opportunity);

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4. ???????If there are no unforeseen circumstances and you decide to not go through with the offered internship, it speaks volume about you. Even more so if you inform the firm a day or several days before you commence. Worst of all, ghosting the firm;

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5. ???????If you think your excuses or reasons to shirk responsibilities are awesome, unique and no one will catch on, you would be sorely mistaken. It is neither unique nor clever. If ever there is a doubt whether the firm caught on, the answer is yes. The firm knows;

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6. ???????Opportunities within the firm are there for you to seize and to learn. Not to be squandered away. Such opportunities are not your given entitlement; and

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7. ???????If the reason for your internship is because your lecturer, mother, father, sibling told you to do it OR your friends are doing it so you want to be like them OR you want to impress your bf/gf OR you want a letter of recommendation...then please don't.

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Those who know me, know that I love teaching. But if one doesn't want to learn, it's never going to work out.

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If you are within one or more of the above points, please consider:-

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1. ???????Other students who genuinely want to learn but lost the chance because of you;

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2. ???????The time spent and resources expended to teach but there was never in reality the desire to learn; and

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3. ???????Practitioners talk to one another. Do not be surprised if some other practitioner whom you have not met suddenly knows you. You could either be famous or infamous.

Let's have a discussion on this :-)