Campus Money Diaries

Types of Internships That Can Supercharge Your Career After Graduation

January 25, 2023

After graduation, finding a job is a key priority for many students. However, due to the competitive job market, looking for a position that fits your ambitions can take a lot of time.

This is where internships come in.

While some look down on internships after graduating, especially those without financial compensation, these opportunities can open up various beneficial doors in one’s career.

Working as an intern can help you grow your connections, acquire new abilities, and earn meaningful experience to beef up your resume. It also helps prepare you for the professional world when you get a job.

By the end of this article, you will have learned about six types of internships that can propel your thinking and supercharge your career after completing your studies.

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A few words before we start….

Do not allow your pursuit of the perfect job to consume your life. After graduating, the first few months or years are a period of self-exploration and development in the professional world. So go out there and try different things.

It is all too easy to equate your value as a person to how prominent of a job you can obtain. But remember: you have to start somewhere.

To paraphrase my favorite quote by Cat Grant in the series SuperGirl: “No one walks through the front door and owns the whole company.” You have to start small and work your way up.

Now, this article is intended for recent graduates, so if you are a student, scram! Just kidding. In fact, I really admire you for taking the initiative. If you are a student seeking to gain experience, read on. Most of this post applies to both university students and fresh graduates.

1. Tech Internships

The tech industry offers abundant internship options for both tech and non-tech graduates. Some are paid, some are unpaid, and at an increasing number, some are remote due to the pandemic.

Whether you are interested in finance, customer service, software engineering, social media, or recruitment, tech companies hire interns in every field.

In contrast to traditional internships, where internships entailed minimal tasks and serving tea, tech internships focus on giving interns the chance to work on meaningful tech projects. This includes working with various tools and software, performing data analysis, and implementing data security which provides interns with important job skills.

Generally, the tasks you undertake as an intern vary based on the department you are assigned to, the company you are interning for, and even your supervisor or manager.

The best part is some internships end in a part-time or full-time job offer.

Here are more benefits of tech internships:

Practical experience to add to your resume.
Possible compensation- Reports show that the tech industry offers the most high-paying internships.
Networking opportunities for future career opportunities.
Staying informed of tech advancements and staying up-to-date with the latest changes.
Completing a tech internship can boost your self-confidence and may result in a better-starting salary when applying for an entry-level job.

Some large tech companies such as Safaricom, Google, and Microsoft offer internships to first and second-year students. These internships provide a unique insight into what working in a tech company is like, and increase your chance of being hired for future roles.

2. Startup Internships

It is always good to think beyond the big companies to tech start-ups and other small businesses whose daily activities revolve around your field.

While interning at a small company does not always mean the same level of exposure and industrial training as with a big company, there are many advantages to working for a start-up over big companies.

For one, competition in a start-up is less fierce in a small venue. In a small company, you are likely to play an active role in big projects and be exposed to major tasks from day one. You can also easily serve in a leadership position and be recognized by the management.

Additionally, you could even work directly with executives and senior managers. This increases your chance of networking, which plays a major role in landing a permanent job.

3. Remote International Internships

Remote/virtual international internships are another option for interns looking to supercharge their careers after graduation.

Virtual working has gained popularity across the world, making the remote working experience more important than ever. Since most employers are now hiring remotely, they are also providing remote internships. Remote internships are available in a wide range of fields and industries including communication, finance, human resources, social media, web design, business, and marketing.

Remote global internships can help you gain international work experience. Hiring managers often prioritize candidates with global exposure. Interacting with, and learning about different work cultures globally can help you land your first job after graduation.

Besides, when interning remotely, internationally, you can learn more about managing your own time effectively, taking care of your mental health while working from home, and being responsible with deadlines outside the framework of a conventional office.

Beyond this, joining a remote international internship is a great way to expand your network and improve your ability to think internationally. You will become part of a global community, gain new perspectives on different cultures and establish meaningful relationships that could benefit your future career.

You will achieve all these benefits while cutting the hustle of daily commuting to and from the office.

4. Fellowships

A fellowship is a competitive, paid opportunity to pursue something incredible for a set period. It is mostly funded by NGOs, government agencies, universities, media, and corporations to help graduates gain experience in the job market, cultivate emerging leaders, support self-designed projects and fund international work experiences.

A fellowship work commitment ranges from two weeks to two years. It is important to note that fellowship programs are highly competitive and require dedication, but they are worth the effort as they can have a huge impact on a person's career.

What are the benefits of a fellowship program?

Fellowships enable you to build invaluable professional networks: Professional fellowships are mainly tailored to introduce a new generation to established organizations and individuals through training, mentorships, and networking opportunities to connect with established professionals in their fields.
Fellowships engage you in challenging work: Some fellowships expose you to tasks that are well beyond what a typical expected recent graduate with no prior work experience is expected to do. But that is what makes the experience so valuable for your professional growth.
Fellowships can fund you to intern abroad: International fellowships provide all the essentials for overseas trips, from job placements and monthly stipends to visas, insurance, and air tickets from one's home country

5. Apprenticeship

Have you been thinking about working with big companies such as Google, KPMG, PWC, Deloitte, or Safaricom? An apprenticeship can help you get there.

For many years, apprenticeships have provided graduates with the knowledge and experience they need to excel in their chosen professions.

An apprenticeship combines both classroom studies and on-the-job training and will lead to a trade certification or license.

About 80% of your time will be spent learning on the job. That means you will earn money while you're learning. Once you finish your apprenticeship and get your certificate, you can join a professional workforce.

Unlike internships, apprenticeships are legitimate jobs that involve a legally binding employment agreement, salary, and leave days.

What is so special about apprenticeships?

Gaining invaluable new skills
Benefit from a support system and access to useful resources to support your study.
You get paid to learn.
Improve your employability.
Gain industry-recognised qualifications: This can help you to validate your skills and expertise.

6. Develop Your Enterprise Skills by Starting Your Own Business

Employers appreciate those who show initiative and possess entrepreneurial abilities. Are you a creative thinker? Can you come up with innovative approaches? You may start your business, which can in return help you acquire entrepreneurial abilities and gain insight on how these skills will benefit you with whatever path you choose

You may start your business, develop entrepreneurial skills, and learn how this will help you on your chosen path.

Maybe you have always wanted to start an online business, develop an app or launch your own perfume brand.

Now is the perfect moment to give it a try! Starting your own company shows potential employers that you are goal driven, persistent, and industrious. Additionally, it is a great way to share your enthusiasm regarding something that you deeply care about.

And who knows, if your business is a success, you may not need the graduate internship anymore.

Well, that is our guide on types of internships that can supercharge your career after graduation, and we hope it was enlightening and helpful to you!

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Karuana Mwai is an award-winning freelance journalist based in Nairobi Kenya with a passion for telling business, health, and social justice stories. Find here on LinkedIn.