It’s more than just a foot in the door
Whether you’ve studied an IIE BCom, BA or B.Ed, there will come a time where you’ll be an intern. Internships are more than just a chance to take a closer look at your chosen working world. They’re an opportunity to get experience, explore your options and possibly secure full-time employment.
Internships are important for a number of reasons. What you learn in the field is often not found in your textbooks. Sure, you might have completed an IIE BCom but theory will only take you so far. By spending time in the field, you’ll get to put this theory into practice and see if your industry is one you’re truly passionate about. If it is, great! If not, you can close the book on that option and move on to another.
Whilst there are no concrete rules to interning, we’ve got a few thoughts on the matter. Our first piece of advice is to get a head start and apply as early as possible. This will leave you ample opportunity to choose the best internship.
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” – William Arthur Ward
Secure an internship before the year is up!
Another recommendation from us is to be as honest as possible with recruiters. Don’t lie about your credentials. Be upfront about your passions and interests. By being genuine, you’ll avoid misrepresenting yourself. To find those awesome internship opportunities we suggest you pay a visit to your campus Career Centre. Here, you’ll be able to get advice and even an introduction to some of the nation’s biggest companies.
When you do land that internship, make sure that you do yourself justice. Even if you’re given tasks in business areas you’re not so passionate about, do these well. From general management assistance to market research, the jobs assigned to you could be the opposite of what you’re looking for. Don’t lose hope. Instead, complete these tasks to the best of your ability and with enthusiasm. Be open to every avenue and you might be surprised by what you do and don’t enjoy. You could ignite a new passion, learn new skills and see your working world with a new perspective. In doing so, you’ll get noticed and gain the respect of your prospective employers.
The truth is, your future is in your hands. It all comes down to the choices you make during your tertiary years. How hard are you prepared to work to take life to the next level? If you’re not prepared to put in the effort, someone else will. Trying to decide what to study next year? We’d love to help you make that all-important decision. At The IIE’s Varsity College, a variety of qualifications enable our graduates to move on to greater things once their time with us is up. For more on extensive academic offerings at The IIE’s Varsity College or to read more about our IIE Bachelor of Commerce degree, please click here.
Varsity College is an educational brand of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE). South Africa’s leading private higher education provider that’s registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training, and accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC).