1) Plan ahead
Give yourself plenty of time to plan your overall internship experience from start to finish. Start your strategy well in advance (before 8-9 months), particularly if you’re going abroad. The useful saying “fail to plan, plan to fail’, should be remembered.
2) Don’t take on too much
It may well be a cliché, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, and planning your internship from start to finish won’t happen in a day either. It’s vital that you pace yourself, set realistic goals and allow time off to relax in between the confusion of job searching, applications and visa requirements.
You are less likely to become overwhelmed, and the process will be more enjoyable. Employers don’t entertain an application that has been rushed or made half-heartedly.
3) Save money
To many students and young graduates, disposable income is a concern, and when money is available it can be spent at every opportunity…right? Well, one should enjoy the university experience and nights out, however expenditure is an issue of balance.
Have a part-time job during studies in addition to a student loan, and an allowance from parents. The moment you make the decision to go abroad for the internship, construct a budget; calculate the money needed to save in order to fund the trip.
The thought of living in and experiencing what international internship had to offer is enough to motivate to save, rather than spending on unnecessary purchases. It was definitely worth it!
4) stay positive and motivated
Days of wait for a right job, rejections, lack of replies and the struggle to save money – these are challenges you may face along the way. Many times you feel discouraged during your search, and didn’t believe it would happen. At the end of the day, it’s just the one offer you’re holding out for, and as soon as you receive that offer, your attitude will change.
The more difficult the initial journey, the more you will benefit from the overall experience. Remain optimistic and more importantly, that you deserve the positions you are applying for!
5) Choice of job
Of course it’s important to seek advice and guidance from your peers, but refrain from letting anyone determine your ultimate decision. When in doubt, follow your gut – I’ve found mine to be right nine times out of ten!
6) Accommodation close to the office
Living within close proximity to the work place can result in a longer lie in.
7) Don’t over expect
Let’s be realistic – it’s farfetched to expect a great deal of responsibility in a company from day one. If you’re lucky, your line manager might allow you to have a level of input in meetings, in addition to a range of office tasks.
It’s important to understand that to an organization, interns are dispensable. For this reason, you should know your place and don’t over expect in terms of a full and fast paced workload. As time proceeds and you demonstrate more of your capabilities, managers should trust you with a greater share of work. Discuss your responsibilities from the onset with your line manager and make sure you have a clear outline of what‘s expected of you.
8) Ask for help
There is a strong admiration for individuals who are able to ask for help on issues of concern. It demonstrates not only maturity, but the ability to admit that you don’t know it all, allowing advice to be sought from those who do. It also highlights your willingness to learn and avoid mistakes. Often the best advice in life is free and from those around you, so speak to your line manager, colleagues or fellow interns if you’re not sure, and get help with what you need.
9) Go the extra mile
Even if it requires you to work past midnight, (so long as you can get home safely), or run 50 errands a day, do it, and do it with a smile! Employers recognize when an intern is dedicated, and your hard work and commitment won’t go unnoticed. If you want a greater level of responsibility in the office, start at the bottom. No job is too insignificant; there is a chance you will be asked to do some interesting tasks!
Have these handy tips inspired you to find an internship?
Apply to Hotelinternship.net, we can offer you comprehensive support in securing your visa to 24/7 support in the international community.