Kuda Brandt

Nokokure Kangootui

Although there are several opportunities out there, securing an internship can become a tall order.  This is owing to a number of factors, such as limited resources to pay interns or simply because it is time-consuming to train someone from scratch.  The whole thing can become a burden.

In cases where it is mandatory for companies to recruit interns, it can easily end up being about ticking boxes on corporate social responsibility to-do lists, which defeats the entire purpose of job attachments. 

This is why it is important to remember that it is more than just an internship.  Begin the relationship on the right note! The employer needs to pick the right candidate. In most cases, employers are not looking for experience, where interns are concerned but rather someone with a teachable spirit and key soft skills, such as maturity, grit and reliability. No one wants to babysit anyone at work, so take advantage of the honeymoon phase and soak in as much as you can.

In turn, you, as an intern, need to have an insatiable appetite for growth. Look for a company where you can grow and get opportunities well aligned with your career goals. Do your homework by researching about the company – and if you know other interns who have worked there, better.  Talk to them to get insights into their experiences. You must be hungry for growth; otherwise, you can be guaranteed that it will end in tears. 

Go from being the intern to having a name

Start small. In many cases, when you are an intern, you are amongst the youngest in the organisation. Use this to your full advantage.  For example, if you are in a communications unit, and your senior colleagues are not quite social media savvy, casually teach the tools of the trade.  Something as simple as showing them the multiple benefits of social media about their work can go a long way. You must become their go-to person for something. This is how you move from being called the intern to having a name.

Matters of the heart

Getting an allowance is a big deal, as this is compensation for the effort and time you are putting in – and just to be able to cover the costs of your basic needs, such as getting to work. But here is the catch – striking a balance and maintaining realistic expectations is crucial; otherwise, you risk getting emotional and feeling like you are not getting paid enough.  You are still new to the game, so expect a moderate allowance as you work your way up. Use this opportunity to gain insights into how the corporate world works, networking skills and on-the-job learning – all of which are long-lasting investments for one’s career. This is the time to make mistakes and learn from them because many tend to be more forgiving towards interns than when you become a permanent employee. 

Love should not be blind

This is probably your first rodeo, and you always expect a picture-perfect experience and want to be handled with love and care, but note – this is neither sustainable nor beneficial to your growth.  The corporate world can get brutal, but we can grow in places of discomfort. Already learning to look at challenges with a solution-driven mindset. 

You will make mistakes, a lot, but learn to handle criticism constructively and not to take things personally. A sense of entitlement will stunt your growth very quickly. 

But also make sure you find your voice. Read the room and know when to speak, particularly speaking to ask questions.  There is no such thing as a silly question, but there are definitely silly actions, so get clarity before you act. 

*Kuda Brandt is an employee of the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and Nokokure Kangootui is an intern at the same institution. The opinions expressed in this article are their own and not those of their employer.