The Do’s and Don’ts When Preparing For Internship

When you are about to take internship, there are some do’s and don’ts that you should know to make your whole experience an enjoyable one. So here are some of the things you should and should not do when you’re about to take internship.

Do Try To Have More Than One

Try to make the most out of your college years by having more than one internship program. This can really be beneficial to you. Just think about how one internship can already help you, what more if you had two?

However, make sure that you can accommodate them with your time. To maximize your learning experience, don’t have them at the same time if possible. In this way, it wouldn't be too stressful on you. If you can’t accommodate having two, then getting at least one is acceptable.

Do set Specific Goals

When you are about to take internship, you should set specific goals for yourself and your internship. Ask yourself what you want to achieve at the end of your internship. If you have a goal at hand, then taking your internship would not be taken for granted, since you can set your mind into accomplishing your goals.

Don’t Expect To Get Paid

The sad truth is, most internships are done for free. Although there are some paid internship programs, majority of them can only give you a certain amount of stipend or a really small amount of money, probably enough for your fare back and to from your workplace.

Knowing that there are paid internships, you might start targeting for these kinds of programs. However, even though they are paid, you should keep in mind that some of the best internship experiences could be acquired with non-paid programs.

Do Expect Professional Treatment

Welcome to the professional world. When you start your internship, you can say goodbye to lame ‘the dog ate my homework’ kind of excuses. Here, expect to be treated professionally. Your employer and co-workers would give have to give you that professional treatment whether you want it or not. So be prepared for some cold shoulder moments, especially at the first few days of work.

Along with expecting professional treatment, you should act professionally too at all times. You can’t slack off and think that this is only internship. You should treat it as if it is real work.

Don’t Wait For It To Come

An internship opportunity won’t come knocking at your door. It is not given to you like candy. Just like in looking for a regular job, you should be the one to look for it. However, there are some tools that might help you find a good internship more easily. You can try your college placement office, or even the Internet.

Do Use Your Network

If finding an internship seems to be a tedious chore for you, don’t worry. Why not try to make use of your network of friends and family? This can be a good way to get the leads on available internship programs out there.

These are just a few of the things you should and should not do when preparing for getting into an internship program. Just always remember that this period of your life is a very crucial one, because it can have a rippling effect on your future career life. So, try to do your best even if you’re still on your preparation stage!

Making The Most Out Of Your Internship

A lot of people have a hard time looking for internship programs, that’s why if you happen to get to have one; you should make the most out of it. This is simply because your internship can have a rippling effect on your future even though it’s not that obvious.

Be Thankful

You should be thankful that you were chosen to have the opportunity to be in that position you are in. A lot of students applying for internship positions are usually turned down by their first choice. Some even don’t get to have one at all.  So be thankful and love your job. Take note that your supervisors are also watching your attitude towards your work; so try to be positive towards it.

Try to do your best during your internship and don’t screw up. Remember that you’ve been chosen to give your service to a great company. Plus, you now have the advantage of putting the whole working experience on your resume, which could be very helpful thing when you’ve already graduated college and about to go out job hunting.

Have A Jump Start

Next, you should have a good start. Before your first day, try to find out what your working place’s dress code is. You should make sure that your outfit would fit the specifications, or even take one step higher. But remember: do not overdo it.

Try to look around the place and observe what your colleagues are wearing; try to have similar pieces. The harsh truth is that most people would base a percentage of their first impression on you from your appearance or what you are wearing. So you would want to look your best, especially on the first day.

Time Is Essential

As with any kind of work, you should be punctual. Everyday, you should show up on time. In fact, you should make this a consistent habit and not only do it on your first few days. Try to be at least five to ten minutes earlier than your call time everyday.

If you will be late, you should let your supervisor or manager know in advance. If possible, stay late after office hours too. Try not to leave the office until your boss gives you things to do or agendas for the next day. In this way, you can be prepared on whatever it is you would have to face the next day around.

Cooperate And Participate

If ever there are meetings or seminars that you’re invited to, try your best to attend. These could be very useful in understanding the way your company works and operates. You can also learn how people in the company communicate. You can understand more the connections of different departments, especially if you’re working for a big company.

Attending such events can also inform you on the different opportunities related to your field that you may be interested in, in the near future. You would also improve your interpersonal skills along with your professional skills, if you don’t let opportunities like these pass.

During these events, you also get the chance to ask some questions regarding decisions made in the company. If given the chance, you can even offer your very own ideas. Speaking up can actually be a good thing, because you’ll never know when the eyes of the higher ones are set on you!

Resources of International Internship

Other than the govt, there are other resources where you can get an worldwide internship application. Some of these resources are community multinationals or worldwide organizations; personal business, non-government companies instructional companies, and personal non-reflex companies.


Public Multinationals

Public Multinationals, also popularly known as international organizations also offer internships. Some of these organizations are the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Community. Positions here are usually unpaid, yet highly competitive. Most of the paid positions are reserved for graduate students only. However, if you are an American, the position they would likely give you would still be in the United States.

There are some organizations that are selected as officially recognized international organizations. Getting a work permit for these kinds of organizations is very easy. You can try visiting the U.S. State Department’s web site, where you can find links to the sites of a lot of major international organizations that are offering internship programs.

Private Enterprise

You can also get international internships from private enterprises. Such programs are usually sponsored by companies like Coca-Cola, Proctor & Gamble, and others. However, positions are usually restricted for students undertaking MBA programs. A lot of undergraduates, nevertheless, have already arranged overseas internship programs with the U.S. or other host-country companies, particularly by using the BUNAC or CIEE programs.

Generally, internships with private enterprises can pay enough in able to cover your basic living expenses. However, they usually don’t shoulder the cost of your transatlantic airfare. You can try searching the web for these kinds of internships by using keywords like “company name + internship.”

Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) 

Organizations under this category are usually nonprofit. Most of the time, they include human-rights or humanitarian watchdogs like Amnesty International. Organizations dealing with health care provision like CARE are also included. There are also research institutes such as the Bermuda Biological Station, and educational exchange organizations like the Institute of International Education that provide internships.

Most of the time, NGOs welcome interns via their U.S.-based offices. However, there are times that you can also directly apply through their overseas offices. Internships with this kind of organizations are usually unpaid. To know more about the different organizations under this category, you can try searching the Internet to find some NGO listings.

Educational Organizations 

If you are looking for an internship in the educational field, then this is the right source for you. There is a worldwide need for Teachers. Generally, there are two categories for the position. First is teaching English as a foreign language. In this category, all that is usually required as a credential would be a bachelor’s degree. The second category is teaching K-12 in taught in English in overseas schools. Here, you would usually need a teaching certification.

In general, teaching positions entails a commitment of from you. This commitment usually lasts for at least 1 academic year. If you’re eyeing for teaching in the university level, you would probably need an advanced degree, since this is what most employers require.

Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs)

You can also get internships from PVOs or Private Voluntary Organizations. They usually offer a lot of overseas placements, which are one of the most probable ways of working in developing countries. However, most of the positions are usually designated as service or "volunteer" positions, instead of internships.

Organizations vary from secular, like WorldTeach or Amigos de las Americas, to religious-sponsored organizations. If you are applying for a short-term placement, you will probably be charged with fees, or at least get room and board provisions.

High School Internships For Computer Sciences

High school internships are now widely available in different fields of interests. One field that is very open to having high school interns are fields that are related to computers. One good example is the internship program that Microsoft offers. However, there are still other companies that offer this kind of program, all you have to do is look.

Benefits Of Getting Into A High School Internship Program For Computer Sciences

Getting into this kind of high school internship can bring you lots of fun. With these kinds of programs, you can create a lot of cool things. They can also take you places where you’ve never been before. Most importantly, you can get a one of a kind experience out of it. You will also have the chance to stretch out your skills in different directions and bring your talents to a higher level.

Their Purpose

Most companies’ purpose for giving out high school internships is to provide high school students like you some exposure to technology. This is also one way for them to find new promising talents and prodigies. So if you think that you have exceptional talent in programming or any other kind of skill with computers, getting into an internship program would definitely be for you. However, you still don’t have to be a genius to get into one. As long as you have a knack for it, then go!

General Qualifications

Generally, computer companies would only require high school students to have sufficient experience with word processing, e-mail, and an established passion for technology. If you have any programming experiences with Visual Basic or HTML then the better. Sometimes, they also have special requirements such as being a high school student in a certain district or area, which is usually the same area where the company holds the program.

Most companies’ recruiting efforts for programs like these are usually directed to provide outreach for organizations and schools that are serving underrepresented minorities, such as African American, Hispanic, and American Indian; individuals with disabilities; young women; and those students that come from families that are economically disadvantaged.

Some other general qualifications would be being a Junior/Senior high school student or the equivalent. Minimum age for programs is usually at least 16, and being a permanent resident or a US citizen is often required. However, qualifications still vary depending on the company that you are applying for. Some of them may or may not have special qualifications other than those mentioned above.

How Long?

Most high school internships in the field of computers usually last for about eight to ten weeks. You would usually have a load of forty hours per week. The durations that companies allot for these kinds of programs are usually long enough for you to get involved in a project and make a contribution with your team.

These programs are also usually held over the summer. They usually start on the latter part of June and end during August. There are other companies that may have high school internship programs during fall or winter breaks.

So, if you think you would want to have a future career in the field of computers, programming, graphic design and any other related field, then try getting a high school internship in the field of computers now!

Different Fields For High School Internships

Since a lot of companies are now opening high school internship programs, being a high school student, you can now venture and have an internship into almost any kind of field that you please. Some of the common fields where you can get into a high school internship program are computer sciences, education, business, architecture, fine arts, and music.

Benefits Of High School Internships

Each field can give you an exquisite internship experience that would definitely put a mark on your high school life. Even though most of the positions are unpaid, the experience however, is sure to bring you a lot of fun!

Getting into a program is also one way to gain new friends, since most programs are usually held as a group internship. Due to this, you do not only gain friends, but also hone your cooperation skills. You can learn how to relate with other people and help each other with whatever task your supervisor or manager has given you.

It is also one way to gain more knowledge on a particular interest of yours. Just as with other kinds of internships, you get to have more exposure on the workplace and get to help out on minor projects. Generally, you are assigned to a supervisor that would be your mentor or trainer, so that you can learn the basic skills needed on the field.

Computer Sciences

If you have a particular interest on computers, then getting into an internship in this field would definitely be worthwhile. Most programs usually group you together and assign a project that you can work on for the whole duration of the internship. Programming skills are usually preferred, however, basic word processing and emailing is usually enough.

Education

There is a great need for teachers nowadays. That’s why high school internships are fast opening in this field. As an intern, you are usually in the position of “teacher aide” or as an assistant teacher. Most positions are open for teaching kindergarten children. The whole experience basically gives you an exposure on handling children and assisting in carrying out different activities for them.

Business

If you are planning to get a business related course in college, then it is important that you get a specialized internship for it. If you become an intern in this field, you also get exposure in the workplace. Helping out in small projects and paper work are some of the usual tasks you are assigned here.

Architecture

This is another specialized field where you can get an internship program. Most of the time, your program would consist of learning the basics of the field and formulating ideas of building or house designs. You can also have some exposure in the outdoor workplace by visiting construction sites and seeing how work is done.

Fine Arts

High school internships for fine arts are usually classified depending on a particular medium. Sometimes, they are held by group. However, you can also have a mentor, where you can learn one on one. Developing your basic skills on a particular medium, such as painting, sketching, carving or pottery, would be the main focus of your program.

Music

Just as with internships in fine arts, music internship would be specialized depending on your particular instrument. Learning the basics or improving further more with the skills that you have, is usually the focus of programs in this field.

All About International Internships

By the mention of ‘international internships’, a lot of students would most likely pass and would rather look for something more familiar and close with the comforts of home. Even though it may sound a bit stressful and would entail a lot of preparation and work, getting an international internship is actually easy, if you know how.

Here are some of the essential things that you should consider and know in applying for an international internship program.

Ask Yourself ‘Why?’

First, you should make it clear to yourself why you would want to have an international internship. Usually, there are two reasons that may pass your mind. One is that you want to live abroad. Two is that you want to gain more work and career-related experience that can help hone you into the best professional you can be.

If your main reason is the first one, then you might want to reconsider getting into such kind of program. If you simply want to live abroad, you can just find working opportunities abroad rather than an internship. Doing this would be cheaper and easier on your part. If the latter is your reason, then you have made the right choice!

Where To Go?

Most internship that has a relation to international careers, most especially those of international organizations, are usually located in the United States. Such programs are frequently located in places where international activity brews up, like New York or Washington DC. Nevertheless, it is usually possible to get an international internship program along with an overseas location.

How Much To Get One?

Getting into an international program can be expensive. However, you can get financial aid to meet your expenses. Also, there are programs that are actually sponsored by your university; getting one can give credit toward your degree.

The expenses can have a varied range. If you’re going to get an unpaid, and non-academic internship, try to consider the living costs. If the expenses are high, this can sum up just about the same value of getting a tuition-charging internship program, minus the benefits of financial aid and credit.

However, the major benefit of getting such kind of program would be the professionally related experience you are going to have and the better prospects for future career positions.

How About Volunteering?

There are also volunteer positions that you can apply for. Most likely, these volunteer programs abroad can provide you board and lodging. This is one option that can make your internship less expensive rather than undergoing an unpaid program.

One good example is the Peace Corps. They do pay well, although you would have to make a two-year commitment with the organization. Additionally, the repayment of your educational loans is usually deferred for the duration of volunteer work. Getting a volunteer position can be your best move if you are interested in pursuing a career related to developing countries.

Most of the time paid international internship programs are very rare. Finding a paid program would be hard for you, unless you are somewhat related to the fields of engineering and business.

These are some of the vital things to consider if you are planning to get an international internship. Although it may sound scary or stressful, a lot of benefits surely await for you.