INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE YOUR WORTH

The experience of relating and supervising internship students over the years has taught me that a lot more is needed in this area if we are to have a more productive human resource with practical touch from the university. Rwenzori Information Centres Network offers an average of 10 internship placements annually for students in tertiary institutions and university both at local and international levels. Over the years, students have come from universities in the Netherlands, Uganda and Fort-portal town noting that there are two universities (UPU & MMU) where majority of   internship applications are received.   

RIC-NET Information Officer supporting a student on internship

An internship placement is an opportunity where a student can prove her/his worth in the organization and also be able to acquire several skills. I still believe it goes back to the student’s interest to learn. One can never stop wondering if students know that once you are searching for a placement it’s as good as saying here are my skills, abilities and knowledge for which I should be taken on, in reality an intern application is as relevant as a job application and thus adequate preparation and critical choice in terms of the institution to your placement should be done.   I believe the students can go beyond the limits by:

KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR PLACEMENT

1.    Preparing in advance: this takes into consideration the course a student is pursuing and the aspirations attached to it, the related institutions and departments. It’s important to find out from the NGOs around and outside the university that the student desires to work for, and if at all there are opportunities for placements. For some organizations, an excellent intern can pave way for a job placement especially when the student has proved to add value to the organization.

2.  Writing a good application: Even though the universities write to the possible organizations requesting internship placements for their students, a student’s application is a must to clearly bring out the abilities of the student and the desired areas of learning. 

3. Take note of the competition: Due to the limited resources, opportunities are also limited. It is important to know that organizations have limits on the number of intakes. So the earlier the student applies for their placement and the smarter/cleverer they are in doing it, the better for them. I have seen students seeking for placement midway the recommended time, or come in groups to seek placement while some have gone ahead to send their parents and friends to find them placements verbally. This is not good.

4.    Follow the regulations/ existing policies: Every organization has regulations that guide their daily business. Every intern must take note of this and strive to abide by them even though the student does not get a salary; there are definitely other benefits that they stand to get at the end of the day like future recommendation for a job. It is important for the intern student to know that their supervisors take note of all the good and bad things that they do per day.  To the students who miss out some days of work without genuine reasons it should be known that if in future you require a recommendation from any organization you have worked in, the supervisor will recommend based on your previous conduct.

5.  Have a target and always share it: Before you report for your placement always have a clear list of the things you intend or would like to learn from that institution and in line with your course. And as you report to the organization take the time to share what you would like to learn BUT do not be rigid, use that time to learn other useful things as well like how other departments work and how they can relate or impact on your field of work because one day you will be required to work with more than one department.

6. Make use of all the available opportunities: Make the best of every new day to learn a new thing or understand something better or to offer something. When given an assignment never look at it as a test but as an opportunity to learn, and where you do not understand ask for guidance. I’ve seen some interns fail to interact freely on official matters with their supervisors and other staff members which is not good as it limits interpersonal skills yet it’s a key skill in aspects of life.

7. Write and share a report: Having been awarded a placement care to always write a report of what you did, what you learnt and think about the organization in terms of it’s future interventions. Find it within your interest to do this to also appreciate that organization for that placement opportunity. Who knows your report could inform management on their unknown weaknesses and strengths or guide their future interventions and maybe act as a point of future reference or interaction because people always meet.