Choosing the right internship and how to survive it.

Internships;

Internship is no doubt a huge milestone in our life as a student.
Most students will have their internships locally.
Schools usually collaborates with various companies to provide internships for students.
However, some students are adventurous and would source for "internship singapore" on their own either via search engines or even through agencies.
Occasionally, international students source for singapore internship as well.

But what are some of the things to look out for when sourcing for an internship or even when you are already in it?

Do we know if we made the right choice?
And if we didn't, how can we survive those months that seems torturous?

Here are 4 tips that I asked myself before I made my choices!

1. Passion

First of all, question yourself this:

What do you want to do in the future?

Is it something that you enjoy doing(without any whining)?

Are you satisfied with the prospects that it gives you?

For me, I have been passionate about this industry ever since young.

Photo Credits: Singapore Business Review

Yup, you guessed it right!

I loved the airport since I was young, and all I ever wished for was to work there.

I grew up thinking that I will love whatever job I've got as long as I work there,

until I realized what I really wanted to do was to run the operations of an airport.

From expediting planes to depart on time, guest relations and the commercial shops in the airport.

That's SO much I want to achieve.

Perhaps that's the reason why I took a Diploma in Aviation Management & Services in Temasek Polytechnic and glad to say, I have no regrets :)

I would definitely love to further my studies in this field in the later years...but we shall see.

2. Interest

This might probably sound confusing to some of you, what's the difference between "Passion" and "Interest"?

There might be plenty of internship jobs offered to you, but ultimately, which fits you the best?

And which interests you that makes you go,

"Hey, I want to go ahead and try out this internship!" ?

Make sure the internship you're opting for interests you and not just because your friends are applying for it too.

6 months ain't long, neither is it short if you're totally dreading the job!

I previously mentioned how much I wanted to work in the airport, right?

You might then thought that I would opt for an internships in singapore which will eventually land me in the airport, don't you? 

This was where I landed at.

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

It was a worlds apart decision I made from my original plans.

But there was no regrets.

And I swear it's one of the most amazing work experience I ever had.

How do you know if you really loved your job?

When you wished that it didn't end.

You got your choice, now what?

3. Experience it

The experience you get from your internship is truly something valuable that will aid you in your future career prospects(perhaps?).

Whether you're doing rostering, planning out projects for the company, presentations,

meeting colleagues from different age groups etc.

All these are opportunities for your future relationship skills or even for your job!

I did not take up an office job, all I did was being a front-liner.

Tapping park guests' tickets;

Checking their coolers;

Cleaning the park entrance;

Parking cars during the peak summer season.

Some people thought,"How are all these going to help you in your airport job in future?"

I would reply,"I learnt how to interact with guests from all walks of life, identify their needs, the operation style of Disney and how they functioned to be the happiest land on Earth."

These are not just interpersonal skills, these are my first hand experiences with the guests which allows me to understand them better and their expectation of Disney's standards.

Likewise, that's what I would need to know when I eventually get to try running a part of the airport.

What are the needs of my passengers and airport goers.

We attend lessons.

Go to work in uniforms.

Get complimented for doing a good job at work(yay!)

Waiting for at least 30-40 minutes for a bus to bring me home...

Have some loner time while going home or to work.

These moments sounds tiring, boring or in fact a waste of time.

But you know you're gonna miss it once its gone.

4. Enjoy it!

6 months of internship, why not enjoy it when you're going to be jobless after 6 months?

It's okay to whine to someone when work gets tough, and everyday will be a brand new day!

Creating memories.

Creating friendships.

Yes, perhaps an office job is way different from my job in Disney.
but hey, I guess even a good meal with colleagues makes everything much better isn't it? ;)

At least there is something to look forward to.

Conclusion?

Make a good use of that 6 months experiencing the working life that you may or may never experience ever again.

Don't make it a regret, but think the other way:

How can you make the best out of your internship?

All internships will come to an end.
Be it good or bad, it is an experience that will never be wiped off from our memories.
Make your decisions worthwhile.

& do it with passion.

goodbye,
cynnie.