Openness to opportunity: how to make the most of internships & part time jobs in uni

If there’s something that I truly learned during the last year is that everything can be a lesson to help us grow as people and to make experiences, any kind of them: from school or job related ones, to more funny ones. Everyone and everything can teach us something new day per day, we just need to know how to make the most of it.

During one’s uni years- before entering the real job world- several opportunities will be presented to everyone to have the chance to see with their eyes and try different kinds of employment. For instance there will be many chances to take part in an internship, to be able to learn, not only the theoretical part of a subject/specific job, but also the practical one.

Before going on, first of all, it is important to understand literally what an internship is? The dictionary says It is a professional learning experience where one will learn meaningful skills related to the subject he is studying.

My personal experience…

Last summer I worked as an animator for children in a summer camp in order to make an experience. I wanted to test my behavings in these situations and understand if it could have been an environment that would have suited me. 

I’m really patient as a person, but I admit sometimes it was hard: children didn’t want to cooperate and didn’t listen to what the other animators and I were saying. Nevertheless I’m really proud and grateful for having experienced that. I improved so many skills such as managing different responsibilities- even though I didn’t have that much to carry about-  that made me a bit more conscious of what it will be to have a real job. 

The most important realization I made was that I understood this isn’t my path and what I will do in my future. Being a teacher it’s not for me.

Keep in mind!

Thinking again about that internship I realised there are some key points, some tips, to help to make the most of essentially every experience.

  • At first I would suggest being open to new environments, culture, and ways of facing. Stay open to growth. Sometimes, the most valuable opportunities come from places you least expect. An experience outside your field could open your eyes to a career path you’ve never considered, discovering new interests along the way.
  • It’s also important to keep an open mind. Not every opportunity will look perfect at first sight: maybe the role isn’t exactly what you expected, or it seems too small to make a difference. But, as I said before, every experience teaches you something: whether it’s learning about a factory, building skills, or discovering what you don’t want to do. Approach each role/ job that seems unrelated to your future career with curiosity; it might help you develop transferable skills.
  • :;MMSet clear goals to achieve: they don’t need to be very ambitious, just practicable. By doing that at the end you will be satisfied for having completed different tasks and it will help you maintain focus along the way.
  • Another tip is not to be afraid to ask questions or request feedback from your supervisors and colleagues. It just helps you to improve and it shows you’re really there to learn something.
  • You will have the chance to create a network and build relationships, so keep it in mind! It’s one of the most useful benefits you can use from this type of experience. These connections can be so valuable for your future. Be friendly, professional, and genuinely interested in others.
  • Last but not least at the end of the program, take some time to reflect. What did you enjoy and what did not? What skills did you develop? What did you learn?

Use these reflections to understand your next steps and define your career goals..

This type of experience, especially during university, isn’t just about building your curriculum: it’s about discovering who you are and what you want for your future. You’ll gain more than just experience, you’ll build the basis for a fulfilling career and life.