Beyond the Resume: Skills from Internships to Carry into Any Job

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Studio

Why internships?

Internships are meant to help one gain experience in a field they want to work in. There are different kinds of internships. Some may be longer than others, and some may be paid. But, at the end of the day the goal is to gain skills. What kinds of skills should an internship help me gain?

Skills to gain

• Communication: Many internships offer the opportunity to be paired with a mentor. As a WINtern, I am expected to stay up-to-date with my project deadlines and ensure that I attend our meetings frequently to understand the content. Finishing projects on time and communicating deadlines will be a top priority.

• Multitasking: Internships are a part of your day-to-day life. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy work-life balance that helps you grow each day. Taking time off by going on walks, reading, or playing video games helps me prepare to focus on assignments.

• Time Management: Building on the multitasking aspect, managing your time regarding the internship is crucial. Some projects may take a longer timeframe to complete; therefore, it is essential to allocate dedicated time to them. Sacrificing your personal life for work is unhealthy in the long run.

• Teamwork: Oftentimes, you will be paired with like-minded interns such as yourself. Therefore, collaborating with other interns and mentors will aid you in future endeavors in the professional world. My experience with my mentor has been excellent, and I am growing more each day I collaborate on ideas with her!

• Initiative: Putting yourself out there is the first step to receiving an internship. I remember being shy in the interview, but I knew I had to stand out. What matters is taking initiative with each project and going above and beyond!

What I hope to gain from the WINternship

With experience in SEO, I was interested in exploring other forms of digital marketing, such as email marketing. I want to gain copywriting skills to become a well-rounded digital marketer. So far, hands-on experience on projects provided to us has been valuable. Having a mentor to help me when I have questions is extremely helpful.