WHY UNDERGRADUATES' SHOULD FANCY INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES MADE AVAILABLE IN NIGERIA.

Experience is becoming a crucial factor for employers when deciding who gets their foot in the door. It’s strongly advised that students and graduates take the opportunity to complete a period of work experience to ensure they have a competitive advantage over their peers; and that’s where an internship can make all the difference.

An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time. Once confined to medical graduates, the term is now used for a wide range of placements within businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies. Wikipedia

WHAT ACTUALLY IS AN INTERNSHIP?

An internship is a period of work experience offered by an employer to give students and graduates exposure to the working environment, often within a specific industry, which relates to their field of study. IT COMES AS AN OFFER MOST TIMES

Internships can be as short as a week or as long as 12 months. They can be paid or voluntary; however, before you start an internship it’s important to  know your rights with regards to getting paid. GETTING PAID AS AN INTERN DEPENDS ON INITIAL INFORMATION AND AGREEMENT...SO IF THE COMPANY INSIST ON INABILITY TO PAY YOU AS AN INTERN...NO HARD FEELINGS IF YOU REALLY NEED THE EXPERIENCE.

Internships can be done in a range of sectors, including  sales,  marketing,  engineering,  graphic design,  management,  I.T. and many more. Throughout an internship you will develop a variety of soft skills, including communication skills, personal effectiveness, presentation skills, creative problem solving and influencing skills. FOCUS ON DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS AND ENHANCING YOUR CAREER PATH AS AN INTERN...CERTAIN TIMES IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY.

‘On-the-job’ experience can be as valuable as anything learned in your studies. After all, you cannot really understand what a job is all about until you have worked in that environment. Internships are great opportunities to speak directly to people who have experience in the role you aspire to; and their knowledge of the job and working environment will give you a greater understanding of what it’s all about and what you need to do to progress.

Your career aspirations may change when you’re faced with the true realities of a role. Internships can therefore be used as a ‘try before you buy’ option, before you embark on a career and confirm if this is what you want to do in the long term. IT'S ONE OF THE BEST CHANCE YOU GET TO DECIDE ON YOUR CAREER PATH

An internship can give you a real insight into the world of work, allowing you to build on the theory you learned at university and helping you to gain practical skills that will help strengthen your  CV and make you more employable. Internships offer you the chance to test your skills in real-life situations,  explore your career options and gain an insight into an organisation or career path. IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW NOT ONLY FINANCIALLY BUT INTELLECTUALLY.

WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS OF DOING AN INTERNSHIP?

Following a successful internship it is not unusual for employers to make a full-time job offer to their intern. Many employers use internships as a trial period and will already have plans to recruit on a permanent basis. Therefore, it’s vital that you make a good impression; turn up on time, be enthusiastic and show your flexibility, adaptability and commitment.

Gain valuable work experience. ...

Explore a career path. ...

Give yourself an edge in the job market. ...

Develop and refine skills. ...

Receive financial compensation. ... (optional to certain firms)

Network with professionals in the field. ...

Gain confidence. ...

Transition into a job.

ALL THE BEST!