Employment advantage and internships has been on the tip of the tongue of international students for a few years. The most driven students are already reaping the benefits of their sound decision to spend their semester break working for their future. We have interviewed three students who have had different experiences in their internships.

Internships are for graduates looking to find work, students wanting a different experience overseas or people changing careers. Everything in life is about the experience, it is up to the individual to chose their path and the end results. An internship is more than passing time and getting references, it is the superhighway to a new career.

Park and Chi are both third year students at the University of New Castle majoring in IT management, and Stefanie is a fourth year event management student from Zuid Hogeskool in The Netherlands. All three did an internship this summer, with different experiences and outcomes.

Chi and Park, both interned at an online based company that specialize in accommodation management, travel, and conference services. Their main purpose to be part of this internship program in the beginning was clear: to gain work experience and to get references for future employment. Stefanie on the other hand was looking for an overseas experience as part of a practical component of her Event Management degree, improving her English, and creating an international network.

Their different experiences lie in their own participation, their goal setting and purpose of the internship.

Parks initial experience was that he found working in Australia slightly different from previous work experience in Korea. He found that Australians tend to put 100% focus during work hours  to avoid unnecessary over-time. However, he was still able to create forthcoming and friendly environment  at work. Both Park and Chi felt that they were treated like family and given privileges to ask as many questions as they wanted at any time. During the internship period, the interns would do cross training throughout several departments to enhance their general knowledge about the company. The job description would include basic and advanced administration, customer services, basic database construction, etc. Both Park and Chi agreed that their best and most rapid outcome was their improvement in English conversational skills.. They have becoming more confident and fluent in speaking English, which will certainly be useful in their future professional and social life.

Stephanie, on the other hand, found a whole new experience in her internship. It was absolutely beyond her expectation and valuable for her study and future career. Her positive attitude has certainly benefit her in getting more than just work experience and a reference letter. She had the best time in her life working in the biggest event festival in Australia, meeting people from around the world, gaining knowledge about catering and events industry. For her, the good memories were another great outcome of the internship.

Further discoveries determine all three  interns future:

Park is determined to continue working for an IT company in the future as the result of his internship. On the other hand, Chi has changed her mind. She realized that working in IT is not meant for her. She enjoys the studying but not the work. This internship has obviously opened up her eyes for what she truly wants to do in the future, research and administration. Stefanie has returned to The Netherlands with a renewed positive outlook; she knows that she has a talent in Event Management, she knows her value as a working professional and now has the confidence to send her resume and do job interviews with a big smile and pride in her achievements overseas. An internship results in many perspectives.. Hence whatever the outcome, an internship is certainly a guidance providing the big picture and a reality check for future employment.

One of the solid benefits of an internship, as well as many interns’ main reason to participate, is a reference letter from the company. Work experience is an essential part of education. It is no secret that large companies prefer applicants with work experience. Good references increases good work, so its up to the intern to give and receive 100%. The knowledge and skills gained is up to the individual and will act as an edge to the participants resume.

The hardest part of doing an internship is the decision to take action. However once you are doing it, it is all worth the time and money. Nothing you do in life is ever too late. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone out there. It is really that simple. All you need to do is think about what you want to do in the future and start making your dreams come true from today. Do what you love, love what you do!

Nova Khoe – Indonesia

International Journalism Student