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.
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| 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.
This year’s
National CSOs fair held on 4th- 5th July was organized by National
NGO Forum & DENIVA among others under the theme: “Our country, Our Dignity, My Duty”. The fair brought on board NGOs, faith based organizations, CBOs
and private sector at National, regional and District level s exhibiting the best from their institutions. As a
representative of R IC-NET, I concentrated on sourcing information from the
stalls that could be repackaged for a
better livelihood of the citizens in the Rwenzori region & beyond. Centre
for participatory research and development, An NGO
implementing a waste management project displayed innovative technology of
producing charcoal briquettes as an alternative source of fuel compared to the
traditional way of firewood and charcoal. 
