Before entering the workforce, most students apply for an internship in Singapore to experience the working life. Internships also help to beef up your resume so you would have more than just CCA or hall achievements on your resume the next time you go for a job interview. An internship stint can teach you many lessons and provide you with hands-on experience outside the classroom. However, you have to approach a singapore internship with the correct mindset or attitude to get the most out of it. The following internship tips will show you how to make the best out of your internship in Singapore.
1. Have a positive attitude
As an intern, you are the lowest position in the company, so you should be prepared to do basic entry level tasks that may not be relevant to your degree. You will be tasked with the high responsibility of photocopying, changing toner ink, making coffee, filing or some other administrative work. Whatever it is, know that the manager assigning you these jobs probably started at the bottom rung as well. To rise to the top, you must start from the bottom. So be sure to carry out all these tasks with your best attitude.
2. Internship pay is not the most important
The first thing you need to keep in mind when starting out on your internship is to forget about the money. The purpose of an internship is to get experience. It is common for internships to be unpaid or to offer only a minimal amount. Before you can provide constructive input to the company, you will need to receive plenty of training first. So be prepared that you will probably not be getting a high internship salary!
3. Keep Learning and Asking Questions
The internship is the best opportunity for you to learn and ask questions non-stop. Don't worry about asking stupid questions. When in doubt ask your boss and coworkers about the company. Ask and learn about what your colleagues are doing. Ask and learn about the company history. Ask and learn about all the challenges they face at work. Ask and learn about your competitors. You must learn about your company or industry and understand it well like the back of the hand. This domain knowledge will give you an advantage when you return to the industry as a full-time staff later on. Without a high internship salary, at least you can get paid in terms of knowledge!
4. Take Initiative
Interns have plenty of free time sitting around, scrolling Facebook and waiting for instructions, but that's not the way you should spend your time! Once your tasks are complete, let your supervisor know and ask for more work to do, or even take the initiative to suggest new ideas. You may be used to being told what to do by your teachers and parents, but in the working world you are no longer a child, you should be independent and proactive in your work. Prove your worth by taking volunteering to undertake tasks that are tough to handle. By taking initiative, you will not only increase your intrinsic value, but also excel amongst the other interns.
5. Networking as an intern
Other than knowledge, the most valuable thing about your internship would be the social network. Get to know your bosses and co-workers over lunch together. Don't be afraid to chat and find out more about them, even on a personal level. Even if you are an introvert who finds networking tiring, you should get out of your comfort zone. Because every relationship you forge increases your chances for a full time job opportunity. Even if you don’t return to the company, your colleagues would have contacts in other companies and they could be your referee next time. Start networking now and make sure you know everyone in your company.
6. Make yourself valuable
During the course of your internship, you may wonder what is the purpose of an internship when you are just doing menial tasks everyday. But it is up to you to make the most out of this internship. You are taking this internship not just to pad up your resume, but also, you here to gain insights to the industry in a hope that you become will a full-time employee here in the future. You need to adjust your mindset into one which constantly asks, “What can I offer to the company?” Ask around to see if your help is needed anywhere, do not be calculative about staying back overtime. Think optimistically and constantly challenge yourself to make the lives of the people at your workplace better.
7. Staying in touch after you leave
Networking is not just the exchange of phone numbers and contacting them only when you need help, that would make you seem superficial. Keep in touch with your colleagues even after your internship, follow or add your contacts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Chat with your ex-colleagues occasionally, wish them happy birthday or meet up for coffee every now and then. Make sure your colleagues remember your name and not see you as just another intern.
An internship is a common process for Singaporean students, be sure to make the most out of it and stand out from all your fellow interns by following the seven tips for your internship.
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1. Have a positive attitude
As an intern, you are the lowest position in the company, so you should be prepared to do basic entry level tasks that may not be relevant to your degree. You will be tasked with the high responsibility of photocopying, changing toner ink, making coffee, filing or some other administrative work. Whatever it is, know that the manager assigning you these jobs probably started at the bottom rung as well. To rise to the top, you must start from the bottom. So be sure to carry out all these tasks with your best attitude.
2. Internship pay is not the most important
The first thing you need to keep in mind when starting out on your internship is to forget about the money. The purpose of an internship is to get experience. It is common for internships to be unpaid or to offer only a minimal amount. Before you can provide constructive input to the company, you will need to receive plenty of training first. So be prepared that you will probably not be getting a high internship salary!
3. Keep Learning and Asking Questions
The internship is the best opportunity for you to learn and ask questions non-stop. Don't worry about asking stupid questions. When in doubt ask your boss and coworkers about the company. Ask and learn about what your colleagues are doing. Ask and learn about the company history. Ask and learn about all the challenges they face at work. Ask and learn about your competitors. You must learn about your company or industry and understand it well like the back of the hand. This domain knowledge will give you an advantage when you return to the industry as a full-time staff later on. Without a high internship salary, at least you can get paid in terms of knowledge!
4. Take Initiative
5. Networking as an intern
Other than knowledge, the most valuable thing about your internship would be the social network. Get to know your bosses and co-workers over lunch together. Don't be afraid to chat and find out more about them, even on a personal level. Even if you are an introvert who finds networking tiring, you should get out of your comfort zone. Because every relationship you forge increases your chances for a full time job opportunity. Even if you don’t return to the company, your colleagues would have contacts in other companies and they could be your referee next time. Start networking now and make sure you know everyone in your company.
6. Make yourself valuable
7. Staying in touch after you leave
Networking is not just the exchange of phone numbers and contacting them only when you need help, that would make you seem superficial. Keep in touch with your colleagues even after your internship, follow or add your contacts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Chat with your ex-colleagues occasionally, wish them happy birthday or meet up for coffee every now and then. Make sure your colleagues remember your name and not see you as just another intern.
An internship is a common process for Singaporean students, be sure to make the most out of it and stand out from all your fellow interns by following the seven tips for your internship.
credits to this blog
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