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  • What Does It Mean To Be an Intern?

    What Does It Mean To Be an Intern?

    When you think of the word intern, unpaid work, fetching coffee and running errands may come to mind. All these thoughts may be correct, but think of the true purpose of being an intern and the positive aspects of being one.

    Being an intern is doing some sort of job at a workplace, usually unpaid, in exchange for experience or school credit. It’s a win-win situation for both the employer and the intern, as the employer benefits by receiving free labour and the intern benefits by gaining first-hand experience in an industry they may be interested in pursuing while gaining valuable work experience and skills. In addition, it’s experience you can put on a resume and is a stepping stone for future career opportunities. It’s also a great way to make contacts and networks within that industry. Who knows? That internship could even turn into a job – a reason why students (or even those who have already graduated from school) take on internships.

    The reality is that if you graduate from a university or college and are about to enter the workforce, having that certificate, degree or diploma just doesn’t cut it these days. Employers are more interested in seeing the practical experience in the industry and internships allow you to gain that practical experience and skills.

    At times as an intern, you may think the tasks you are being given is menial. Just remember that it’s important to take it with a grain of salt, as it is really your foot in to your chosen industry. It’s a great way to learn about the various positions in the organization, the company culture and even if that chosen career path is really for you.

    It’s also important to make the most out of your internship, meaning that you do more than just the tasks and duties that are given to you. This is your opportunity to shine, so take advantage of it. It’s important to be proactive. Maybe you have some ideas you want to contribute or maybe you are interested in assisting in other roles. Make sure you express this to the manager you report to or work for. They may be impressed with what you have to offer and can see that you are indeed valuable to the company. This great for future job prospects in that organization.

    It’s also important to know your worth. There are many times that interns are taken advantage of and are used only for menial work that may not have much value to you. Be clear about your goals to the organization offering you the internship and what skills you want to gain from the experience. The internship has to be beneficial for both parties.

    What is the best way to find internships? Sometimes your college or university may help find them for you. You can also search online for internships. Do a Google search for companies in your industry, find out the main contacts and reach out to them saying that you are interested in interning for them.

    Internships truly do open up many doors for you so take advantage of them. Good luck!

  • Internships with Startup Companies

    Internships with Startup Companies

    Even during the height of the winter season, many students are beginning to set their sights on summer internships. If you’re one of the keener students looking to get a head start in the game, you’ve probably already begun searching for a position.  Ambition may have led you to some of the most well-known firms across the country. However, it’s important to understand that for these larger companies, hundreds of inquiries arrive at their doorsteps every year. Even with a wicked resume, it’ll be quite the challenge for you to stand out amongst such a large crowd. Your chances would significantly improve if you were to aim for a company that hasn’t made that big of a splash in the community yet. Startup companies are those that are slowly (and sometimes quickly) making their way onto the main stage. They may be in the process of developing a new product or they may be working to bring a creative new service to life. These companies are always eager for new talent to help raise their entrepreneurial ventures off the ground. In fact, most of these companies are so busy with day-to-day operations that they haven’t even thought about hiring interns. This would be the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your initiative by reaching out to them first. If there’s one thing that entrepreneurs love, it’s a self-starter!

    There are several benefits to working with a startup. For one, these companies tend to be more willing to give you a significant role within their ranks. Of course this isn’t true for all startups, but it’s definitely a noticeable trend. With limited human resources on deck, these companies often have employees conducting tasks that would usually be shared among several other people. If you have the appropriate skillset, it’s likely that you’ll get some of these responsibilities placed on you, which would be the perfect opportunity to gain some real-world experience! In the long-term, your role may prove to be so substantial that you’ll be deemed a necessary fixture within the company. Of course, this would require a great deal of work on your part but it’s definitely a realistic possibility for interns working with startups.

    If you’re interested in becoming an entrepreneur, interning with a startup would also be a great way to spend your summers. You would get the unique opportunity to see the various challenges that startups face on a regular basis and see how they maneuver around them.  This would definitely give you a leg up when starting your own company in the future.  Even if entrepreneurship doesn’t seem like a likely option for yourself, you can benefit from the educational experience of working within a newly-formed business.

    It’s also important to make note of some of the potential downfalls of working with a startup. For one, it’s likely that the internship will be unpaid since startups often operate on tight budgets. Moreover, if you have long-term aspirations, it’s possible that the company many not exist in the future if their operations are unsuccessful. Beyond this, entrepreneurs often work long, irregular hours and it’s possible that they may have similar expectations for you. At the end of the day, it will be your responsibility to decide if working for a startup is right for you.

  • What Does it Mean to Be an Intern?

    What Does it Mean to Be an Intern?

    For many students and recent graduates, an internship is simply a route to a full time career. Many companies hire interns with the intention of permanently hiring them within the company.  Although a full-time position is the ultimate goal, internships should be taken advantage of for more reasons than a possible path to a full-time job.

    The purpose of being an intern is to learn. It’s okay if you’re not an expert on the position or the company. Usually interns, especially first timers, are not expected to be experts. Take advantage of the opportunity and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more questions you ask, the more information you gain. Asking questions also shows your leaders that you are interested in the position and are excited about learning more. It’s also important to accept that you will make mistakes. Again, you are not expected to be an expert, and making mistakes is another form of learning. Take responsibility for the mistakes you make and learn from them.

    Interns may or may not know what they want to do as a career. The best way to find out if you are right for a position or company is to test the waters. You’ll never know if you’re good at something until you try it out for a while. An internship is like a trial run in a specific position. If you know that position is right for you, make it known that you are interested in becoming a full-time employee. If you discover that maybe this is not the right path, then gain as much experience as possible and move on to something else. Talk to your leader or supervisor about shadowing. As an intern, you should have the flexibility to schedule time to shadow someone who is experienced. Shadowing can help you see what a normal day would be like working in a certain position. You should try to shadow different positions within the company as well as different levels. Shadowing someone who is higher up is a great way to see the possible growth opportunities.

    Overall, being an intern should be an enjoyable experience. Relax and do the best that you can. Don’t stress over whether or not you’re going to get hired after the internship has ended. If you do your best work, and gain as much experience as possible, the time spent as an intern will be well worth it. If you take full advantage of the opportunity of an internship, you will know exactly what you want to do within the company or as a career in general, and you will know your goals for the future. The value of an internship depends on what you do with your time and the experience that you gain.

  • Is it Smart to Work for No Money?

    Is it Smart to Work for No Money?

    Working for no money is a very common thing. It might seem strange that people would work without being paid. However, people do it every day when they cook meals for their families, clean their houses, or help their friends with construction projects or other jobs. When people talk about working for free, however, they usually mean something a bit different from the small, ordinary jobs like these. Usually, working for no money falls into one of two categories: volunteering or unpaid internships. They can both be good if treated with care.

    The most common form of unpaid work is volunteering. In 2010, over thirteen million people in Canada volunteered at least a small amount of time in many different places, such as hospitals, libraries, schools, and special events like festivals. Some people volunteered for only an hour or two, while other people spent hundreds or even thousands of hours helping others. They fed the hungry, planted trees, counted migrating birds, helped build houses for the poor, and did many other things in their own communities, in another part of Canada, or even in different countries.

    People volunteer for many different reasons. Sometimes they volunteer to meet people with similar interests and to work with organizations where they are already receiving some benefit, such as when mothers volunteer as helpers in their own children’s classrooms. Others volunteer as a way of learning skills like teamwork and communication or to meet people who work in their chosen careers.

    In some fields, unpaid internships are another form of working for no money. While volunteers usually work no more than a few hours per week, interns work full-time at a job with the expectation that they are learning something about a career. The idea of internships started in medicine, where people who had graduated from their basic studies would spend time working in hospitals and learning to apply what they had learned. These days, almost anyone can work as an intern.

    Internships like these can be good, but they can frequently lead to problems. One of the keys of an internship is that the interns are supposed to learn from the experience. If employers make the interns do the work of a paid employee or fail to teach them any new skills, they have broken the rules. Some of the internships currently being done in Canada are illegal because of these kinds of problems.

    So should you work for no money if the benefits are so uncertain? It really depends on the situation. Volunteering is usually a good idea since it shows that you are trying to be a responsible citizen who cares about the community. Unpaid internships are more problematic, but they can still be good. With the proper guidelines and supervision, they can help launch you into your chosen career. When everything comes together, the benefits of working for no money can last a lifetime.

  • The Gap Year: What to Do with Your Free Time

    The Gap Year: What to Do with Your Free Time

    Taking a year off from school before university or college might be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. It could be a year filled with self-discovery and joy. All you have to do is seize the day — or “carpe diem” as they say in Latin. The following are a few ideas to help you make the most of your gap year.

    Learn a Hobby
    It’s never too late to learn a new skill, such as learning how to play the piano, mastering a new language, or trying out photography. Well, now’s the time to do it! During your gap year, when you have a break from school, you’ll probably have a lot more time on your hands — and you might not know what to do with it. As you try a new hobby and add more variety into your life, you might find a life-long passion that will bring you joy for years to come.

    Furthermore, we all need balance in our lives: a balance between work and leisure. During your final year of high school, you were probably busy studying, working, and preparing for university or college. Now it’s time to strike a balance and have more fun.

    Volunteer
    You may be only one person, and a young person at that, but you can make a positive difference in your community (as cliché as it sounds). There are so many not-for-profit organizations that would be happy to have your help. For example, if you love animals you could volunteer at a local animal shelter walking dogs. Although you won’t get paid, you will benefit great deal from the experience – helping others could give your life a deeper sense of meaning and fulfillment.

    If you’re thinking about pursuing a career, such as journalism, but you’re not sure if it’s the right career choice for you, try volunteering at your local newspaper. This will help you get your “feet wet” and decide if it’s your dream occupation, and you’ll receive further clarification about which university or college program you should apply for.

    Be an Intern
    Besides volunteering, taking an internship during your gap year is a great way to try out an occupation that you’re interested in. It’s also a fantastic way to experience the professional world, where you’ll learn all about office culture, proper etiquette, how to dress, etc. The experience could really help you mature into the professional young man or woman you’d like to be.

    Additionally, taking on an internship will help you network and gain professional contacts. If you’re lucky, someone will decide to take you under their wing and mentor you. Then you’ll have the perfect role model to follow — someone who could help lead you to your dream career.

    Spend Time with Your Family
    Enjoying your family’s company might not be on the top of your priority list. Yet, a few years from now when you’re off at university or college and living on your own, you might reminisce about the past and wish you had spent more quality time with your loved ones. So, savour and appreciate your family — go on short trips, play board games, watch movies together, etc. You’ll be glad you did!