Earn while you learn
AN internship is one of the best ways to build a student’s resume.
Not only is it beneficial for future job opportunities, it is also an excellent chance for students to see what it is really like to work in the industry they are interested in.
More importantly, it gives them hands-on experience in gaining skills that will come in handy for their future employment.
Almost any internship experience will be beneficial, but what really counts is making the most of the experience. Here are some factors to consider when selecting an internship and how to excel at it.
The industry
Almost every industry has an information technology (IT) department, but interning in IT in finance is very different from a consulting firm.
What you should consider is the type of industry that excites you and where you want to be when you graduate.
Interested in providing cybersecurity services? Perhaps an internship at a consulting firm that offers such services will put you on the right path.
Want to learn more about financial technology or fintech? Sign up for an internship at a bank.
Immersing yourself in an environment that excites you will make your internship more rewarding.
The work you will be doing
Be it exciting work or mundane tasks, everything you do during your internship is important in terms of building industrial skills and soft skills.
Nonetheless, it is also important to gauge how much hands-on experience you will be able to gain.
After all, you would want to learn as much as possible about the industry you will be working in upon graduation.
University Malaysia of Computer Science and Engineering (UniMY) offers internships with its industry partners such as KPMG, Cybersecurity Malaysia and Fusionex – all big names in IT – so that students can gain working experience to hone their skills and put to use everything they have learnt in class.
There are also start-up companies that will offer a unique environment to help students thrive competitively.
Type of internship programme
Different companies have different internship structures. One company may have a few interns working on projects, while others may have one or two interns each time.
Will you be on a rotation basis or assigned to a specific team during your internship?
While there is no way to say that one structure is better than the other, it makes sense to find out what your internship will entail to see if it suits what you are looking to gain from it.
However, any amount of training and education during your internship will be useful to your future. It is all about making the best of any situation to learn as much as possible.
UniMY has a unique overseas internship scholarship programme, where top students are given the opportunity to intern abroad.
Last year, selected students spent three weeks interning at Digital Hollywood University in Tokyo, Japan, where they not only learnt from the best but also had the chance to immerse themselves in Japanese culture.
This year, two students underwent a three-week industrial training internship at the University of Melbourne.
Future overseas internships may include stints in Europe and the United States.
Future opportunities
Getting your foot in the door is a great first step to increase your chances of landing a full-time position after graduation.
That being said, you will have to really make an impression on your seniors. Be proactive in the tasks you are given and show initiative.
Additionally, ask questions to show genuine interest and learn more about the industry.
With its industry collaborations and renowned IT partners worldwide, UniMY helps connect students with the digital industry, offering valuable opportunities such as workshops, seminars, work experience and internships.