1. Assess Your Skills and Interests
Knowing your strengths and interests might help you narrow down your search and locate the best internship for you. To assist steer your search, make a list of your skills, experiences, and areas of interest. Tools such as the Holland Code career exam can help you find your dominant personality traits and the industries that best match your interests.
Consider taking online courses in areas of interest to improve your skills and position yourself as a more competitive applicant. Coursera and Udemy provide a diverse choice of courses, many of which are free or low-cost. This not only demonstrates your commitment to the field, but also gives you an advantage during the application process.
2. Network, Network, Network
Regarding securing an internship, your network can be your most valuable asset. Inform your friends, family, classmates, and even old instructors that you are seeking an internship. To broaden your network, visit job fairs, and industry events, and join professional groups. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for networking with professionals in your field and researching career and internship opportunities.
3. Utilize Online Resources
Intern Afrika, Brighter Monday, and MyJobMag are just a few of the websites that list internships in Kenya. These sites are a wonderful place to start your search, and you can also set up email alerts to be notified when new possibilities become available.
You can also use internet employment boards like Glassdoor and Indeed, which post internship opportunities in a variety of industries. When searching online, make sure to select terms pertaining to your subject of interest and the type of job you’re looking for, such as “marketing internship in Kenya” or “financial internship in Nairobi”.
4. Tailor Your Applications
Do not apply to internships in bulk without personalizing your application to each opportunity. Take the time to research the organization and understand what they’re seeking, then tailor your CV and cover letter to demonstrate how you meet the requirements.
Your CV should showcase your relevant abilities and experiences and add quantifiable achievements whenever feasible. Your cover letter should describe why you want the internship and how your skills and experiences make you a good fit.
5. Be Proactive
If you are unable to find a suitable internship, consider contacting organizations you admire and expressing your interest in learning more about their work. You could be amazed at how willing they are to hire an intern, especially if you can demonstrate your enthusiasm and dedication to the field.
6. Prepare for the Interview
It is critical to be well-prepared once you have secured an interview. Investigate the organization and the internship to learn about their goals and objectives, and consider how you may contribute to their success.
Practice your answers to popular interview questions, such as “Why do you want to work for this company?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”. For the interview, dress professionally and bring a copy of your CV and cover letter, as well as a list of questions regarding the internship and the company.
6. Make the Most of Your Internship
An internship is more than just acquiring job experience; it is also an opportunity to network and leave a positive impression on potential employers. Make the most of your internship by doing the following:
- Being proactive and taking the lead. Offer to assist with projects that are not part of your job description and look for methods to offer value to the firm.
- Developing relationships with coworkers. Connect with your supervisor and coworkers, and take advantage of any networking and learning opportunities.
- Being a team player and maintaining a good mindset. Be receptive to comments and eager to learn, and demonstrate a strong work ethic and dedication to quality.
- Keeping track of your accomplishments and learning experiences. Keep track of the projects you work on, the skills you learn, and any obstacles you overcome. This will allow you to reflect on your progress while also providing useful information for future job interviews and applications.
6. Conclusion
To summarize, finding an internship as a new graduate in Kenya can be a difficult yet rewarding process. You can gain valuable experience, build your professional network, and set yourself on a successful career path by assessing your skills and interests, networking, utilizing online resources, tailoring your applications, being proactive, preparing for the interview, and making the most of your internship.
For leads on jobs and internships, contact me here.
