Purposeful Internship: How to Choose an Internship?
As the internship season approaches, job portals fill up with internship offers, social media feeds flood with attractive advertisements, and career fairs buzz with dozens, if not hundreds, of potential employers. The abundance of opportunities is undoubtedly positive, yet navigating through this sea of offers can prove to be an unexpectedly big challenge, making the choice itself a skill to be mastered. Below, I highlight four considerations to keep in mind when choosing an internship.
Quality over Quantity
I have observed how students sometimes try to secure an internship through mass applications, sending out the same documents in bulk and hoping, somewhat naively, that something will stick. Unfortunately, such a company-unspecific approach often means losing out to candidates who have invested time in research and made deliberate choices. Therefore, select the opportunities that truly resonate with you. Once this is clear, you can direct all your energy, time, and focus on those applications, which increases your chances of standing out.
An Internship Is a Two-Way Relationship
The process of choosing an internship is not one-sided – companies and organisations are not just choosing you; you are also choosing them. That is why it is important to research the place you are applying to. At first glance, words like values, mission, vision, or culture may seem like popular buzzwords. But upon deeper exploration, they can guide your choice, helping you distinguish between offers that genuinely appeal to you. For example, when applying to META, impressions and experiences of past interns, as well as introductions to the company’s culture, were easily accessible on its website and social media. Such preparation also helps to set your focus during the busy application period and to use your energy deliberately to secure an internship from among your choices.
An Open Mind as a Driving Force
It may sound like a cliché, but even if you already have a specific goal or interest in mind, it pays to remain flexible when selecting an internship. My first internship was in the public sector, as it suited my studies in public administration. Still, it was in a niche field with high entry barriers, where I had no prior experience and little knowledge. Thanks to keeping an open mind, I gained insight into an exciting new area while still working on tasks that aligned with my interests. What was initially planned as a four-week internship smoothly evolved into a four-month commitment. Nowadays, fields are so interconnected that ending up in a seemingly unfamiliar sector may not be a step in the wrong direction. On the contrary, it may provide better opportunities than expected, confirm your interests, or even open entirely new paths.
Curiosity and Initiative Compensate for Shortcomings
Young people often feel that their lack of experience is a limitation. In reality, at the start of a career, the most valuable assets are initiative and a willingness to learn. I carry with me the advice once given by an experienced Estonian mid-level manager: “Skills can be easily taught and acquired, but changing a person is difficult.” To gain the chance to prove your ability to learn, it is essential not to forget to be active outside your studies as well, since those experiences, combined with sincerity, drive, and ambition, can be decisive. Don’t underestimate yourself – dare to dream and choose an opportunity that inspires you, even if you feel you are not (yet) fully ready. Previous active engagement, paired with curiosity, helps bridge any knowledge gaps.
Choosing an internship is a process that requires focus, openness, and a willingness to dig deeper. Amid the abundance of opportunities, it is vital to make a well-considered choice, because an internship is not merely about fulfilling a curriculum requirement – it marks a purposeful first step in the beginning of a career journey.
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