4 WAYS ON HOW TO GET AN INTERNSHIP
First, if you are a MasterCard scholar, you should download the Baobab App and always stay updated about the internship opportunities advertised there.
Why the App? As much as we spend more time on the Instagram App more than the Instagram web version, this shows that Apps are quicker and aesthetically appealing to use
Now that you have the app and you probably noticed an internship opportunity you would be interested in, how do you get it?
1. Do informational interviews
An information interview is an informal conversation with someone working in an area of interest to you. For every opportunity, it is important to search and reach out to people who were successful in obtaining the internship you are eyeing. They know the way and can guide you. When you approach others for company insights, it brings you closer to the opportunity. You feel more passionate, more knowledgeable, almost an insider. And that will reflect in your application and your interview.
For instance, during my application for an internship in Kenya this summer, I searched and approached previous interns on LinkedIn because I could not find anyone in my friendship circle who has done it. This informational interview helped me to know more about the internship and guided my application responses. People, even strangers, are willing to help you if you seek their opinion. Even better, as MasterCard scholars, we have a strong link that connects us as a community. Thus, it is unfortunate that most scholars tend to forget to take profit of this wide and resourceful network. Next time, do not let pride or fear ruin your chance of getting an amazing experience.
2. Yes. Build experience
Be prepared for the job market. You cannot expect employers to provide you with an opportunity without anything in return. It is your duty to prepare for the internship beforehand and work hard on your skills in your area. This specifically goes with CV editing and digital skills such as Microsoft (powerpoint, excel, word), skills that most students underestimate a lot.
Lastly, I always feel like as African students, we have to be 10 times more competitive on the job market because of the negative narrative behind African youth. We must keep learning and being the best in our field. To do so, make a list of skills to work on; and then look for resources to help you improve. Take Baobab courses. Volunteer. Take online classes, workshops, and so forth.
3. Build your career.
Most old people say that “millennials are not patient”. It is sometimes true. We want to get to success quickly, at the very instant of our desire. This may be a trait for MasterCard Scholars as well. We can easily fall into the trap of thinking that opportunities will be handed to us in a snap of the finger because we have been to prestigious schools, awarded prestigious scholarships. Unfortunately, it does not work like that. We need to build our career seriously and meticulously, which requires strategic and gradual planning, like a construction site. It will be messy, dusty, nails around, moments of rains, restructuring. However, in the end, the career you are constructing will take shape to stand as a building in all its magnificence.
As an example, let’s say I want to apply for a job at the International Trade Centre. However, I realise on the website that the requirements are: experience on women-related entrepreneurial initiatives, experience in certain countries of Africa where international organisations focus on, and experience in international trade or consulting. As a first-year or second-year student, frankly speaking, I do not fulfil any of these requirements. The wisest way to get there is to acquire these experiences during my years at university, building up to a graduate job. Even if I do not get that specific job in the end, at least I know I will land somewhere because I have some useful experience. If you are not a great fan of planning, I would suggest that you continue building on your skills and connections. Write down some options of your career paths so that when the opportunity comes across, you can easily identify it and grab it with the right skills set.
4. Interviews are your downfall!
No matter how well your application and your CV are written, the interview will determine if you get the offer or not. Therefore, practice your interview skills a lot. Selling yourself in an interview is a skill that you need to learn and practice. Secondly, if you get rejected at an internship or job from the interview stage, ask for feedback on what factors eliminated you. Then, you can improve on those as your way forward. Here above, I attached an example from one of my rejections and feedback. After this note, I approached different people for practice and actually learned something about my interview weakness: I spoke in a monotonous voice in my interview as if I had memorised the responses. Few of my interviews showed signs of excitement and passion. This is something I was able to improve on, and it paid off.
Let’s keep the conversation going on. What other ways to get an internship?
