With the right internship, students can pick up to develop a variety of skills, including soft and hard skills. The latter ones have an essential importance for students’ professional path, as depending on the job, workers will need some specific (hard) skills. Even so, soft skills are necessary for all careers, regardless of the field in which they work. These are indeed the skills that potential employers will look for in future employees.
Here, we will explore some of the diverse skills that interns can acquire during their internship journey.
- Technical Proficiency (Hard Skills):
Interns get the chance to acquire technical or hard skills and gain practical expertise in the tools and technology that drive their chosen area, whether it be programming languages, graphic design software, or data analysis tools.
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
During an internship, interns might have to communicate with project managers, write and respond to the emails, schedule meetings, articulate ideas, etc. All these tasks can help improve various aspects of communication, including oral and written skills. Good communication skills will build confidence with superiors and earn the trust of co-workers.
- Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Interns often encounter challenges and problems during their internships and all these challenges will help them learn new ways of handling an issue. The ability to analyse situations, identify solutions, and make informed decisions is a valuable asset that interns can carry into their future careers.
- 4. Project Management and Time-Management
Many internships involve working on several projects at the same time, with tight deadlines. Interns will learn to manage their time efficiently, prioritize tasks, and not miss any deadlines. These skills will help become more organized and effective.
- Leadership and Teamwork
Internships often involve collaboration within a team structure. Interns learn to work cohesively with colleagues, understanding the dynamics of teamwork and the importance of effective leadership.
- Networking and Relationship Building:
Internships offer unique opportunities to network with professionals in the industry. Building relationships with mentors, colleagues, and industry contacts is a skill in itself. Interns learn how to navigate professional networks, establishing connections that can influence their future careers.
- Accountability and Self-Reflection
Thanks to internships, students will be able to self-reflect and take responsibility for their work (be it right or wrong), decisions, performance, etc. Through feedback sessions, interns gain insights into their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Assertiveness
Interns might work with projects that require more time than they have, and they might come across teammates who refuse to do as much as they do. These cases teach them to be assertive, and saying ‘no’ when they need to. Assertiveness is an important skill in a workplace.
By taking the online i-Coach course, company supervisors will be able to work on the abovementioned skills of the trainees while they are on an internship period. This will help not only to better monitor the internship periods, but also will help in the upskilling of company tutors and soft skills of the trainees.