JOBS: How to Avoid Mistakes During An Internship
An internship is a limited-time period of work experience provided by an organization. Most organizations offer internship opportunities to help students nurture and sharpen their skills.
Leah Mukangai 
During an internship period, an individual faces various challenges as this is probably the first time working in an organization.
When given this opportunity, you should cherish it and utilize the chance to sharpen your skills and also learn more.
Here are some of the mistakes that interns are most likely to make during an internship period.
1. Preparedness
There is a lot you can do to prepare for your internship before it starts! Do your research on the company by visiting its website, reading press releases and coverage, and learning about its team on social media platforms.
You can also find former interns on LinkedIn and contact them to learn from their experiences. This preparation will boost your confidence and set you up for a successful internship experience.
2. Fear of asking questions or directions
It may feel awkward to ask questions as an intern.
As a newcomer to the office, you may be nervous and anxious because you are unfamiliar with all of the procedures. This is a fairly common sensation. This anxiety is felt even by experienced professionals who are starting a new job.
Do not let it prevent you from asking questions and receiving the answers you require to succeed. Ask your pressing questions early in the internship and learn everything you can so that the rest of your internship can be focused on your contributions to the organization and coming up with creative solutions to the problems you're given.
Your intern manager should be a valuable resource who is eager to see you succeed. You can also as ask other interns in the organization.
3. Lack of networking
You may initially prefer to stay at your desk and only work with your direct team. You will miss out on valuable opportunities to meet other potential mentors and expand your network if you do not venture out.
Networking in an organization not only helps an individual during work hours but also outside the organization.
4. Time management
Being new in the work environment, interns tend not to be very cautious with time management. This applies also to the tasks that you have been allocated to perform. Lach of time management leads to confusion and you don't want to throw away your opportunity.
5. Not following up when the internship is over
While most interns will spend their final few days reconnecting with their supervisor and coworkers who helped make their internship a success. It is also critical to demonstrate the importance of maintaining contact with them on an annual basis.
The simplest method is to send them an email, whether it's a birthday greeting or a holiday greeting. This will make an impression on your employer, and they will remember you for your personal touch as well as your desire to stay in touch. They might even refer you to someone who is looking for new employees.
To avoid making the above mistakes, this is what you should practice.
1. Be proactive
You should try to exert more control over your internship experience by requesting assignments that are of interest to you.
Whitler advises interns to "be at ease with being somewhat assertive." Communicate with your boss and go above and beyond the job requirements. An internship is an excellent opportunity for you to shine and demonstrate to a company your work ethic and quality.
2. Relationships and networking
Your internship experience will allow you to meet peers and other inspiring interns who share your career goals. These coworkers can provide a network of support and help you excel in your internship. Remember that networking isn't always vertical.
Indeed, as you advance in your career, you will notice that your peers will be able to assist you in identifying great career opportunities and connections as they advance in their professional trajectory. Do not pass up this fantastic opportunity to form meaningful relationships.
3. Use your skills and talents well
Don't be put off if a company does not have a formal internship program. Inquire if there are any short-term projects that need to be completed. Creating your own proposal sows the seed for an internship equivalent.
Don't pass up career fairs hosted by your college or community to meet with company recruiters. These professionals may also be looking for interns for their programs. Inquire about the needs of the company and the industry.
Here are internship job samples that you should try.
JOB 1: Technical Support Intern ( Re- Advertised) at Ilara Health
About Ilara Health
Ilara Health brings accurate and affordable diagnostics to the 500 million people in Africa who today struggle to access a simple blood test. We distribute low-cost, AI-powered diagnostic devices directly to primary care doctors in peri-urban and rural clinics, where the availability of common diagnostics is very poor.
Our proprietary software integrates all the devices that we distribute and enables the doctor to provide effective patient management.
About the Role
As a Technical Support intern, you'll work with the company for a fixed period of 6 months and you’ll be responsible for diagnosing any hardware or software faults with the medical devices and will solve the issues timely. You will be right at the heart of matters as you need to deal with customers who have technical problems with the devices.
Job Responsibilities
- Carry out Installation, De installations & configuration of devices' hardware operating systems and applications.
- Resolve/take accountability for technical support cases by receiving the case, contacting the client, providing telephonic support (if possible) and coordinating the resolution of the case within the deadline.
- Maintenance and monitoring of device networks and systems.
- Maintain a working log detailing all device challenges to assist in product development.
- Analysis of device logs in order to discover any underlying issues or trends.
- Ensure customer satisfaction by carrying out proactive user training and support.
- Proactively resolve customer issues by conducting courtesy visits, identifying potential issues and resolving and taking preventative action at all times
- Performing electrical safety checks on the devices.
Minimum Requirements
- Have a degree/ Diploma in Biomedical Engineering or equivalent.
- At least one year of experience in the medical diagnostics industry.
Behavioral Requirements
- Ability to handle multiple projects and tasks efficiently
- Excellent written, oral, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills
- Self-starter – can work well alone or on a team.
- Fast Learner and Ability to adapt quickly
Method of Application
InterIntel Technologies is an IT company based in Nairobi with an array of services ranging from software development, payment aggregations on mobile, web, and applications, loyalty programs, and premium rate service provision (IVR, SMS, USSD) among others.
JOB PURPOSE:
The accountant will manage and run all Accounting activities as well as provide financial information to management by researching and analyzing accounting data and preparing reports.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist in the development and implementation of goals, policies, priorities, and procedures relating to financial management, budget, accounting, and payroll.
- Take the lead in ensuring timely filing/payment of statutory obligations to ensure compliance with the government regulations.
- Making projections on cash inflows and cash outflows to ensure healthy working capital for the business's day-to-day running.
- Assist in the preparation of regular financial statements and accounts, such as profit and loss accounts.
- Performing account reconciliations
- Assisting in general financial management and analysis
- Any other duty that may be assigned
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in Commerce or related field
- Basic experience in an accounting role
- Ability to interpret and analyze financial statements
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word and Excel)
- Must be well organized and poses good reporting skills
- Ability to work independently
Method of Application
The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the world's environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the environment.
Responsibilities
Income reporting:
Assist in data entry and data validation of funding partner information in support of launching Power Business Intelligence (BI) as a new income reporting tool.
Provide support with respect to; collaboration, liaising with Financial Management Unit on Member States invoices and receipts as well as updating and maintaining a database for tracking and future reference.
Assist in Financial analysis for the Environment Fund and earmarked income to form a basis for reporting on income status and funding profiles for the Member States.
Records management:
- Assist with reviewing for record integrity, migrating and consolidating records, including correspondence log, agreements, and contracts for purposes of data migration to Client Relationship Management (CRM) tool.
Additional Duties:
- Assist in ad hoc excel related reports.
- Perform other related tasks as assigned
Competencies
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors' language, tone, style, and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands the applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
Education
- Masters student/Undergraduate student in 3rd or 4th year of study in international relations or any business-related field or its equivalent. Additional training or qualification in finance, budget, or accounting is highly desirable.
Work Experience
- No working experience is required to apply for the United Nations Internship Programme. Your training, education, advanced course work, or skills should benefit the United Nations during your internship.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Method of Application
