How To Bag Your Dream OJT
I will always remember my internships during the summer break of my junior year going to senior at the university. Looking back, these experiences in major and minor publications were big highlights of my college years! My teachers and our classrooms can only partake so much knowledge, but I learned a whole lot more about the work-life, discipline, and skills by taking several OJTs.
One of my first On-the-Job Trainings, for a TV network:
One of my first On-the-Job Trainings, for a TV network:
Some internships pay, while most are unpaid, and there are even some that you’ll pay for. What is best? This depends on the company you’re going after.
The question now is, how do you get to your dream internship? Here are 3 tips:
1) Connections
This is a direct-to-the-point tip, but don’t get me wrong! It doesn’t mean that you won’t get in an OJT program just because you don’t know anyone in the company. I remembered my internship goal then was with Summit Media. I don’t have friends or family in the publication, but my cousin’s friend works in one of their magazines. Even though it was a far connection, a call from my cousin’s friend helped me get a slot in the office. Try posting a Tweet of Facebook status that says, “‘I’d love to intern at ____. Does anyone know someone who has worked or interned there?’” Somebody might know a friend of a friend (of a friend)!
2) Resume
The moment I stepped in the world of college, my resume was like an instant project. Since freshman year, I joined organizations that can help me develop skills related to the OJT I wanted. I assumed positions and roles that will make me more responsible and hardworking - skills that most HR will look at when they browse through your resumes.
I used to write for a teen magazine back in college. Seeing my name in print was pure joy to me:
To be more holistic, I also had outside-school work, and since I was a Journalism student, I worked as a part-time writer. I also found out about INKOMPASS, which offers a paid internship program meant for sophomore students. INKOMPASS offers Php 26,000 and a personalized program. This is a good way to prepare you for your actual OJT! You can check out the program at https://www.inkompass.global/.
Good grades are great, but I’ve read somewhere that PASSION beats GPA. So highlight your side projects more: work experiences, classes, and internships you took outside the school.
3) Research
Last but not the least, ace that job interview by doing your research! Most of the questions during interviews involve knowing the company, its products, and most especially yourself! Aside from answering “Why this company?’ or “What can you contribute to this company?”, most interviewers will ask you for solutions to problems that may arise at work. The potential interns are those who are opinionated, who are backed up with experiences, can think and contribute, and not just someone who has memorized the company’s mission statement.
Make sure to prepare early-on, I always believe in hardwork and dedication more than anything. Internships are not just great platforms for this big life transition, it will also make you decide if it’s the right career for you. Continue learning more about yourself, and enjoy the process! :)
2 Comments
Just what I needed! Hehe thanks for the tips, Ms. Ana! :)
ReplyDeleteYey, go Bianca! Enjoy, and share your story! :) <3
DeleteYour turn! Always excited to read your comments! :)