Work It Out - MX Brisbane

mX intern Joe Malpas susses out how students can make an internship work for them

 

Socially speaking, university can be the best time of your life.

 

It can be rewarding professionally if you are lucky enough to get an internship while you're studying.

 

An internship gives real-world experience that sitting in lectures and tutorials can't provide, and can be invaluable in helping you make one of the most important decisions of your life.

 

Most university programs will offer an internship as part of a degree course and they will provide students with the confidence and experience needed.

 

Associate Dean of James Cook University Brisbane, Paul Kidd, says the benefits of internships cannot be overlooked.

 

"Internships are absolutely critical to your job prospects," Kidd says.

 

"I'd say around 50 per cent of our graduates get jobs with the companies they have done internships for, while the other 50 per cent would find work with another firm directly after completing their studies.

 

"It is important because it works as a pre-employment screening period for employers to assess your abilities and skills set."

 

But internships can be daunting - professionally and socially - and they are a world away from the relaxing calm of the uni library.

 

"Interns can struggle with the job sometimes," Kidd says.

 

"They often find it difficult getting used to the organisational cultures and systems in an organisation.

 

"There are two ways interns approach things. Some companies have reported to me that an intern can often be too timid and sometimes they set their expectations too high.

 

"It's a balancing act and you have to be ready to learn and ask questions, and be prepared for anything."

 

There are hundreds of internship opportunities and each is different - from sought-after paid placements to volunteer positions in developing countries.

 

"A majority of intern programs are arranged by a university, but there are opportunities to arrange your own placement," Kidd says.

 

"These structured uni courses are the first preference of employers, but any internship, university-based or not, is still better than no experience at all."

 

While they can be scary and time consuming, facing the challenges of an internship will get you the experience you need to launch a successful career.