The Ultimate Guide to Becoming an Intern

Everything you need to know about becoming an Intern and then some

Before you ruin your taste buds by ordering a full plate of a meal you’ve never had before, why don’t you order for a taste? How about a bite of that new type of hamburger before you go all in? Or perhaps watch the trailer of that movie before you spend 2 hrs you’d probably regret. Maybe the metaphors are a little bit exaggerated, but that’s exactly how Internships are like — giving you a taste of a company for a short period of time. During that period, you get an opportunity to learn about the company’s businesses, how it operates internally and externally, its staff, and most importantly (for some of us), to take cool selfies of us working at the office (but you’re working from home).

Photo by tupungato on Internship

What is an Internship?

An internship is simply a temporary job position that is typically reserved for college students and recent graduates. Interns tend to work in exchange for school credit (Industrial Training) or for a base pay (stipend or allowance). Through an internship, you can gain knowledge about the culture and day-to-day operations of a company’s industry. Internships can last anywhere from several months to a year. Internships are also helpful for students/graduates who haven’t decided on a career path. By working in an industry temporarily, it can provide some time to determine whether a career in that field or industry is right for them.

How to Get an Internship

Searching for an internship is quite similar to searching for a regular job. I know, it should be easier than finding a regular job but it isn’t. To secure an internship position, you should prepare by writing a resume and cover letter.

Consider taking the following steps when searching for your next internship:

• Write an internship resume and cover letter
• Get a letter of recommendation
• Make a list of companies for which you want to work
• Volunteer to intern
• Prepare for your interview

Let’s explore each of these steps in more detail.

1. Write an internship resume and cover letter: Most companies require a resume and a cover letter when you apply for an internship. If you are seeking an internship, you likely have little to no professional experience, thus, making your cover letter an important context for the employer. On your internship resume, include an objective statement at the top listing your professional career goals. Include any relevant experience you have that might be helpful for the employer such as completed coursework, volunteer work and leadership roles in clubs or organizations. Review the job description for keywords that apply to your background and include them on your resume. Your internship cover letter gives you a chance to express your reason for applying to the internship. It’s also a great opportunity to explain what you can do for the company. Write about your relevant experiences that apply to the role, and examples of your work ethic and key skills should be included. If you need help writing or perfecting your documents, most colleges and universities offer free resume and cover letter review services.
2. Get a letter of recommendation: A letter of recommendation is a statement provided by a relevant professional that explains why an applicant would be a great candidate for a position. Many students ask a professor to write a letter of recommendation for them. It is a good idea to choose a person who knows you and your work well. You should provide your recommender with the internship job description, your resume and plenty of notice. This can be important when your prospective employer is seeking some background information about you and your work. They speak to your recommender who is in a unique position to express how fit you are for the role.
3. Make a list of companies for which you want to work: Make a list of companies you feel it would be beneficial to work with based on their products, core values, industry expertise or other factors that inspire you. I personally make a list of companies I would like to build my professional career in. Search the companies’ websites to make sure they offer internships in the timeframe you require. By finding an internship at a company you may want to work for in the future, you get a chance to see if you enjoy the field and to create contacts within the business. Some companies also offer interns full-time positions depending on their performance, after the end of the program.
4. Volunteer to intern: Remember, the importance of an internship is to acquire a job experience which should fit in with your professional goal. So focus more on the practical learning process itself and treat it as priority. If you are interested in working for a company that does not offer an internship program, don’t give up right away. Consider contacting the company’s human resources representative to see if they would benefit from hiring an intern in the near future. They might also provide you with other opportunities outside of internships such as part-time positions, workshops or other career development offerings in the industry. Through volunteering, you have the opportunity to grow in your career interest.
5. Prepare for your interview: If a company requests an interview, take time to prepare by reviewing the job description, developing answers to common interview questions and researching the company. Understanding the company’s core values, mission statement and history can help express your excitement about the role.

Standard Internship Hours and Duration

The length of an internship can vary based on the industry, employer and role. In many cases, people look for an internship that allows them to balance their school workload with their internship hours.

Here are the typical lengths for types of internships:

• College internship: A college career-length internship is usually found on the campus of your university. These positions are usually reserved for science, healthcare and research students, as well as those intending to pursue a master’s degree or PhD. Other universities categorize this as a compulsory Industrial Training (ranging from 6 months — 1 year), and it is part of the student’s curriculum.
• Externship: Externships are shortened internships. Most externs work for their company for a few days to a few weeks.
• One year: Think of a year-long internship as two semester-long internships. The first one usually lasts a semester and is typically unpaid. The employer assesses your value as a potential employee and may or may not invite you back for a second semester. If you are invited back, the second semester of the year-long internship is often paid.
• Semester: In a semester-long internship, a student usually works ten to twenty hours a week for a 2 to 3 month period in return for school credit or hourly pay.
• Summer internships: Many students prefer a summer internship because it offers a chance to focus exclusively on work rather than balancing the internship with schoolwork. The length of summer internships vary, but tend to last between 2 and 3 months.

Photo by Business Student.com on Guide to Getting a Business Internship

Benefits of an Internship

Internships can be a beneficial experience for people newly entering the professional world or even those seeking a career change. Internships can help you gain industry experience, build your resume and give you an idea of what it would be like to work in a certain position. Also typically providing professional connections and compensation, internships are a smart way to begin your professional career.

Internships provide several benefits to college graduates. Some of these advantages include:

• Developing and refining your skills: Internships can help identify your strengths and weaknesses from the perspective of your industry. You can use this information to set personal career goals to improve over time.
• Potential for a higher starting salary: Having relevant experience can increase your earning potential at every level of your career. Some companies might consider you an entry-level candidate with internship experience in the industry. Because you already have a certain level of relevant knowledge, the company could save money on training costs, which may be something to discuss when negotiating your starting pay.
• Networking: Some internships lead directly to jobs within the company. However, if the company doesn’t offer a job after an internship, interns can still develop a professional network with that business. This network and its extensions can lead to other jobs and opportunities.
• An easier transition into the professional world: The transition from college to a professional career can be difficult without knowing what to expect. An internship can help you understand the basic inner workings of a business and how you might contribute to an organization.
• Exploring your future career path: Internships offer you the chance to temporarily explore an industry or position. Even if you don’t enjoy the internship, you will be able to use that knowledge when searching for another position or making decisions about your major or career path.
• Earning an income: Many internships provide compensation for your work. You might also be provided with school credit. If you’re unsure, ask the employer during the hiring process how you will be compensated for your work.

With all the benefits associated with an internship, it is a great option for college students and other individuals entering an industry. The experience and resources you receive can help build a rewarding career. I would strongly advise all college students and graduates to take out some time and apply for as many internship opportunities as possible. And if you do run out of opportunities, not to worry, Forage provides tons of virtual internships from top global partner firms, to help you with the skills necessary to compete globally and professionally. Now, you have no excuse not to grow in your career path.

Don’t get sucked in too early — Bonus Tip

In the space of four years, I have had the opportunity to intern at a public firm — Nigerian Ports Authority and a private firm — Flutterwave. After my last internship with Flutterwave, I became acquainted with virtual internships like KPMG’s Data Analytics, and Bright Network’s Virtual Consulting, which were useful, especially during my final year as an undergraduate. These virtual internships not only taught me about getting started in the professional world, but also exposed me to a huge network of students and professionals that shared the same interests as me. Although it can be overwhelmingly difficult to find an internship, two of the things that really helped me break in were — taking advantage of my network and sending cold emails.

Taking advantage of my network meant that I had to inform people I knew (which could literally be anyone), about me being open to internship opportunities. This network could range from your friend or family member, to your neighbour or acquaintance. Informing my network helped get my first internship opportunity back in 2016. I got my last internship through cold emailing. It is definitely a skill worth having, because it can be used in different life situations. Here is a link to a few tweets I think could help you in learning how to send cold emails. There is always something to learn from someone, and I am still mastering the art.

Because having an industrial experience was embedded in the requirements for acquiring a degree in my school, I did not know early enough that one could apply for internship at a firm without it being a requisite from your school. I had always thought that companies would only accept interns if it was a mandate from school. There are organizations searching for interns to fill in for a particular period; and if that period is favourable (could be an end of semester break or a long vacation), you can apply and end up saving up some money to spend during Christmas or take care of yourself when you resume school.

Most Interns can find it a bit difficult to leave a firm, because their employees or coworkers influence their decision to remain at that firm. They can also be enticed to stay, through the little fringe benefits or stipends they receive from the firm every month. Interns who get drawn into this mostly do not have a career path, and so they get sucked in while they are young and promising, and find it difficult leave the firm when they’ve discovered what they really want to do; because now, they are really dependent on their job for their livelihood (rat race). This makes such Interns find it difficult to acquire a new skill (which is paramount in a fast changing world), and they are wrapped up with the company’s work and don’t have time to grow professionally in other ways.

Interns who through their internship experience, have been able to gain clarity on what career path to take, tend to excel professionally. This is because they are not focused on the present fringe benefits they receive monthly, but on growing professionally, and preparing themselves for the type of career they want to pursue in the long run. So before making that life altering choice of working for that company long term, a short term work experience through an internship should guide you in making the right decision for your future professionally.

Thank you so much for reading this piece. If you fancy contents like these, feel free to give me a follow and clap for this article. I have lots of contents in store to help the young student/professional, so stay tuned!