Internships are often framed as a stepping stone to our careers, a necessary checkbox to prove we have some form of real-world experience. But I’ve come to realize that the true value of an internship isn’t just about adding something to your resume—it’s about proving to yourself that you can envision what it would actually be like to work in your chosen field. It’s about seeing, in real-time, how your skills translate beyond the classroom and into a tangible career path.
The Power of Perspective
One of the most unexpected lessons I learned during my internship with the WIN community was perspective—on my strengths, my work preferences, and what I actually want out of a workplace. Think about it: for the duration of an internship, you’re surrounded by the same people, sometimes up to six or seven days a week. That experience forces you to ask yourself some crucial questions:
What kind of environment do I thrive in?
What mission or purpose do I want my work to align with?
What type of leadership style brings out my best work?
What does an ideal workday look like for me?
These aren’t just hypotheticals—they’re insights that help shape the kind of career you want to build. An internship isn’t just about doing the job; it’s about understanding how you want to do the job and where you want to do it.
Application Over Theory
For many of us, an internship is our first taste of what I personally like to call my “big girl job.” We may walk in with a solid academic background, but applying what we’ve learned is a completely different ballgame. And here’s the kicker: how we apply that knowledge can look different from person to person, and that’s okay.
Project management, for example, is a skill I initially thought was all about spreadsheets, timelines, and strict deadlines. But in reality, it’s about adaptability, communication, and understanding how to make moving pieces work together. My experience taught me that skills aren’t just about technical ability—they’re about how well you can apply them in dynamic, real-world settings.
The Student Mindset & Vulnerability
One of the most valuable things I’ve needed during the internship experience is a student mindset because no matter how much you think you know, there is always room to grow. That growth comes from being open, from listening, and from absorbing knowledge from those around you. And let’s be real—this also means learning to be and embracing vulnerability. It’s not always easy to admit you don’t know something or to ask for help. I learned that the best professionals aren’t the ones who act like they have all the answers; they’re the ones who actively seek out ways to learn more.
Connection & Mentorship
Hand in hand with being a student is having a mentor. Internships offer an invaluable opportunity to connect with people who have been in your shoes. They’ve made the mistakes, they’ve learned the lessons, and they’re often more than willing to share their knowledge. Having mentors during my internship reassured me that I wasn’t alone in my challenges. More importantly, they showed me that growth isn’t about fitting into a role—it’s about shaping the role to fit you.
Confidence & Collaboration
So, you have the experience—now what? What do you do with it? The answer lies in confidence. Confidence isn’t just about believing in your abilities; it’s about leveraging them to lead, to collaborate, and to make an impact. Can you work with others? Can you take initiative? Can you turn experience into leadership? These are the questions an internship helps answer, not just in theory but in practice. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what you’ve done—it’s about what you take forward and what you can bring to the table.
The Intern Position
Internships are more than a career prerequisite; they are a personal and professional mirror that reflects who you are in a workplace setting. They offer perspective, practical application, mentorship, and the confidence to step into your next role with a clearer vision of where you want to go. So, if you’re about to start an internship or are in the middle of one, my advice? Stay curious, stay open, and most importantly, stay a student. The experience is what you make of it—and trust me, there’s a lot to gain.
Komentar