Undertaking an internship

Choosing the right degree is daunting, but figuring out what to do after Uni is even more overwhelming. Employers prefer grads with “experience” but finding the right experience can be challenging. However, this is less challenging thanks to our access to QUT supported internships that provide students with career-specific experiences – increasing the likelihood of graduate employment.

I have been fortunate to have gained experience through the Corporate Partners In Excellence (CPIE) Scholarship program. The CPIE internship provided me with the opportunity to put the theory I had learnt into practice and gain real-world experience. The experiences gained assisted me to decide on areas of potential specialisation within my chosen field.

From my experience, below are some tips to make the most out of your internship:

• Ask questions
  

  I cannot stress this point enough! I have found the only dumb question, is the one you don’t ask.

• Embrace everything and give 100%
  

  Some tasks you may question the relevance of, but embrace them as they all add to your overall understanding of how businesses function.

• Make friends with the receptionist and admin staff
  

  These people are the gatekeepers and the face of many businesses. They are also your best “go to’s” and their assistance can be invaluable.

• Network
  

  Make the most of every opportunity to network with new people, as you never know when they can help.

You should also be aware of four key qualities employers look for in students:

1. Professionalism
   Appropriate dress, arrive on time, be polite, show respect

2. Initiative
   Work out what needs to be done and do it, speak up if you don’t know what to do or if you don’t have enough work, suggest improvements or new ideas when appropriate

3. Friendliness/Sociability
   Introduce yourself, say hello, join the social club, make an effort to get to know your team

4. Work Ethic
   Be willing to do anything, give 100%, arrive a few minutes early to work, learn as much as you can about the organisation

My final piece of advice – have fun, keep an open mind and make the most of the experience!