INTERNSHIP:A Chance, A Challenge Or

An OpportunityPart I

Engr. Abdul Basit

Lecturer & Member Continual Professional Development Cell

Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology,

University of the Punjab, Lahore.

www.tiny.cc/cpdc

abdulbasit.icet@pu.edu.pk

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CONTENTS

◘ What is internship?

◘ Benefits to industry / employer

◘ Benefits to university

◘ Benefits to student / internee

◘ How to be a success?

◘ How to end it well?

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What is internship?

◘ Internship is a system of on-job training for white-collar jobs (office related jobs, administrative tasks etc as opposed to a blue-collar job involving manual work).

internees are usually university students, seeking skills for a new career

◘ Internship is a win-win situation◘ The host company benefits

◘ The university benefits

◘ The internee benefits

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Benefits to industry / Employer

◘ A pre-screening tool for potential employees

◘ Expand the interpersonal, training, and supervisory skills of current employees as they mentor internees

◘ internees can bring specialized and up-to-date knowledge that they gained from university to be applied in the company

◘ Reduces recruiting costs

◘ Decreases training time and costs

◘ Create a ready pool of candidates

◘ Apply the concept “try before you buy”4

Benefits to university

◘ Fulfilling university credits

◘ Indirect partnership with the industry

◘ Exposure to Market needs and demands

◘ Improved reputation of the university

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Benefits to student/internee

◘ Enhanced social skills needed at work;◘ Communications

◘ Adaptation

◘ Team work skills

◘ Opportunity to explore personal interests

◘ Better carrier choice

◘ Opportunities for improvements.

◘ Building and expansion of professional networks.

◘ The internship program will help the internee link what he/she learned at the university with the world of work

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◘ Exposure to latest technologies and Business Procedures

◘ Instill workplace values

◘ Develops Problem solving skills

◘ More prepared for World of work

◘ Résumé builders – project-work

◘ Various financial incentives

◘ Provides an advantage over their peers

◘ Develop resume writing, interview

and job search skills

Benefits to student/internee (contd..)

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GREATER CHANCE TO BE HIRED

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Benefits to student/internee (contd..)

How to be a success?

You, the internee, play an important role in your success and largely determine if you will have a worthwhile experience.

It’s All U

p to You!

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Do your homework/research

◘ Introduction about the company◘ The company, history, structure, people, work, and

your internship

◘ Organizational culture, goals, and strategies.

◘ Size, age, location, history, ownership

◘ Products or services, major competitors, recent development, expected growth.

◘ Recent employment activity (# employees, turnover, hiring trends

◘ Rope Up◘ Colleagues

◘ Friends and family

◘ Revise basic engineering knowledge10

Your behavior and attitude

a)Be Professional

b)Meet with Your Supervisor

c)Have a Good Attitude

d)Immerse Yourself

e)Always Do Your Best Work

f)Take Initiative

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a) Be Professional

Eliminate “ just an internee” mentality

Take this experience seriously. The people you work with now could very well be your colleagues in the future.

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Be Professional (contd..)

While completing your internship be sure to:

◘Arrive on time

◘Do not leave early

◘Follow the employer’s dress code

◘Watch your language and topics of conversation

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Meet with Your Supervisor

If possible, try to schedule regular, weekly meetings with your supervisor. During this time you can:

◘ Confirm the details and specifics of any projects

◘ Determine your work hours

◘ Learn about and volunteer for upcoming projects

◘ Update him/her on the status of your projects

◘ Establish a good working relationship, which makes

asking for a recommendation much easier

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Have a Good Attitude

Your attitude plays an important role in determining whether you have a great experience or a horrible one.

While completing your internship remain:

◘Flexible

◘Enthusiastic

◘Courteous

◘Willing to learn

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Immerse Yourself

Take advantage of all that is provided to you. Get to

really know the company and its industry.

Be sure to take time to read:

◘ Training manuals

◘ Company policies

◘ Memos

◘ Press releases

◘ Trade publications, etc.

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Always Do Your Best Work

Sure, some things are going to be boring and

repetitive in nature, but everyone needs to be a

team player. Take assignments graciously and don’t

complain.

You are more than likely going to get bigger

assignments once you demonstrate that you are

capable of completing tasks in a professional

manner. 17

Take Initiative

Don’t sit around bored in your cubicle or office. Seek out opportunities to become involved.

If possible:◘Volunteer for projects.

◘Ask questions.

◘Conduct informational interviews

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Build Your Portfolio

A portfolio is an excellent way to demonstrate to potential employers your accomplishments.

While completing your internship, be sure to make copies of your work to include in your portfolio.

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Build Your Portfolio (contd..)

Materials to save include:

◘ Projects you worked on

◘ Presentations you made

◘ Letters of recommendation and thank you notes

that you received

Remember to ask permission first. Some

organizations have policies regarding what

information can leave the office.

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To do list

◘ Line tracing

◘ Understanding of the process

◘ Process details

◘ Design of vessels

◘ Utilities

◘ Instrumentation

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Watch Out

◘ Don’t ask about pay

◘ Right question from right person

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◘ An internship is a great time for you to develop and expand upon your professional network

◘ While working you will begin to establish contacts

◘ Be sure to introduce yourself and get to know your colleagues

◘ Remember, the hidden job market (the jobs that aren’t advertised) is the most effective way to find a job

◘ Approximately 80% of available positions are never advertised

◘ You can make contact before an employer knows they need you

Is it about machines or people?

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How to end it well?

◘ A report

◘ Comments on report

◘ A recommendation letter

◘ Thanks letter/card/email

◘ exchange contacts and stay in touch in a decent manner

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