Internships: Develop your work skills!

MEGHA Singhal, a first year student of Sri Ram College of Commerce, is set for an intern-interview at Manpower Consultants, a leading human resource consultant firm. She is dressed in smart formals. As she entered the office, she attracts fleeting glances of busy professionals in T-shirts and casual trousers.

Interning is not part of her course curriculum. But she wants to appraise her interest area before she graduates and firms up career plans. The 18-year-old has been turned down by companies as a 'first-year student'. 

Manpower, however, doesn't disappoint her. She is asked to join two days later. "And on Monday, I walk in sporting my regular jeans and T-shirt, while every one is dressed in formals," she breaks into a smile. "I didn't realise that I was interviewed on a Friday," she says.

Botching up with attire or matters more serious is a regular phenomenon  with any intern. Mistakes will happen, but what should a fresher do to minimize the blunders? Interning, or working in an organisation while studying, is a chance to experience an industry. You imbibe work skills and professional etiquette. The experience comes in handy when you become ready to plunge into the job-market. Meghna learnt a host of things. "That included making presentations, handling media interactions, designing web and writing formal e-mails," she says. "I became confident, assertive and learnt lessons in diplomacy," she adds.

Prepare: Know about the industry and the company you will intern with. Check their website. "One fresher I know, used to read press-releases uploaded on company's website and hence knew more than what was published in the newspapers," says Sunil Kalra, consultant with a leading HR firm.

Be A SPORT: Don't take criticisms at work personally. Focus entirely on learning. "Remember you are at the bottom of the food chain," says Kalra. Don't say no to any work assigned. If you're being overburdened, speak to your boss and decide a deadline.

Have A POSITIVE ATTITUDE: Take your tasks and deadline seriously. If you come across as dedicated and responsible, you will be entrusted with assignments.

Be PROACTIVE: If you are invited to internal office or client meetings or seminars, don't  ever say no. If you are not asked, express your desire to be a part of it. Whether you are allowed to actively participate or simply observe, you will learn how to conduct business operation, negotiate or close a deal, take decisions, analyse a particular event or case and how to react in situations.

Ask QUESTIONS: Instead of being clueless or ambiguous regarding the work entrusted and submitting a work way out of line, seek clarification. "Keep your boss updated about your work," advises Kalra.  Don't indulge in gossip or try to extract information. Don't turn up late. "All these things get noticed," says Kalra. Gmail chats, facebook updates is best done from home. Never judge or find region, religion or caste connections with your boss or colleagues.

Don't JOIN THIS ORGANISATION:  "Intern with companies that match your background and future career option," says Ravi Lochan Singh, managing director, Global Reach. Avoid organisations that don't over a period of time, assign you responsible tasks or "take interest in investing as much time and energy as it does for regular employees," says R.Sreenivasan, co-founder and director, Career Launcher.

Opportunity COST:  At this stage one should join a well-known organisation. "Brand name matters," feels Megha.  "Bigger companies can give you a certain work atmosphere and groom you in a certain way," she explains.  "Start-ups with their democratic set-up are also a great place to work, but then you have to suffer on brand name and compensation," says Indu Walia, currently interning with an advertising agency.