I have been doing work experience since the second year, and it
something I highly recommend to everyone who is beginning a degree…“start
early!” I have gotten so much out
of every experience as it has really consolidated everything I have learnt in
university, and in some cases helped me in my degree. On top of the skill and
knowledge gained, there are the relationships that are formed that can change
the direction of your career. We hear it all the time “network, network,
network”, and it is true because the people you work with have connections in
the industry and if you can prove your worth then they are more often than not
happy to help you move forward in your career.
So for those heading out into internships I would like to pass on
some advice from what I have learnt through my experiences.
- Ask “dumb” questions, people don’t mind answering the easy questions and it shows interest and a want to learn.
- Always go beyond what is expected, you want to make a good impression, you never know where this opportunity could take you. You will never regret trying hard, but you will always regret if you feel like you didn’t show your best.
- Push yourself, entering the professional world is scary and you may start out feeling like your not good enough and begin second guessing yourself, but if you don’t try you will never know what you’re capable of. There is no harm in failing, but there is harm if you never tried, and from my experiences it is the times when you pushed yourself outside your comfort zone that end up being the most rewarding.
- Be organised, it is the key to success.
- Say ‘yes’ to everything! The beginning is when we really have to make our mark and prove ourselves above the rest and if you take advantage of every opportunity then you will be rewarded.
I hope this helps people heading out in to internships and in to the
professional world. Work experience has been the best decisions I have made and
has made me even more excited to finish my degree and enter the professional
world.
1 comment:
Hi Vicki!
Just wanted to commend you on the great post. I wish someone told me all of that when I began my degree. Many peers I speak with have many qualms (rightfully!) about university education, being that graduates are guaranteed a job upon completion of their courses.
It may be a rightful complaint. However, since we are paying all this money in investment for a better future, we should make the best of it. And do what you did really, start interning at a company in our second year (and out of our own resolution).
We've all heard it umpteen times - START EARLY! It's one of those great ideas when we start university but I think most of us get complacent somewhere in the middle of that education.
I hope those doing their internships in the coming semesters read your post and take it to heart. Thanks again for the heads up!
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