We all know that competition for graduate jobs is fierce – even getting an interview is so mean feat. And if you manage to land yourself a coveted spot on an internship, what next? How do you make the month, six months, year in the office really count for the future? We asked six women on internships in different industries how they landed the role, how they stood out from their peers, and how they made their internship really count.
‘I didn’t think I’d get an interview, but I applied anyway’
Joelle, 22, publishing intern
On paper, I definitely shouldn’t have been qualified for an internship in publishing – my degree is in petroleum geology – but I really wanted the job so I just went for it anyway. I talked about my skills as a freelance writer and blogger, which made my employers see the skills I could offer them. Now, I work within the Editorial and Publicity departments. Every day is slightly different. I can be reading book submissions, meeting with new authors and creating webpages for the website or pitching our books to journalists.
I love how much freedom I have. I’ve even started curating my own book projects for the site. When you’re a young intern, you’re usually stuck making the tea but here I’m given the opportunity to make my mark. And I always try to make the most of those opportunities - I. I think a lot of interns are so concerned about trying not to rock the boat that they just blend into the background and don’t offer up ideas and opinions. But a key role for interns in any field is that outsider’s perspective – we are new and fresh, so we can see errors that the long-term employees have not noticed. It’s always important to speak up when you see something you could do better.
‘I’m quickly learning what it takes to succeed in an industry where you can’t be second best’
Louise, intern, Solasta Finance Company
The thing with this internship is that you’re not just learning what you have to do to succeed, you find out the type of person you have to be if you want to be successful. It’s about working out how to make people do what you want, and take you seriously. You don’t learn that in school or college, and if you’re a woman it’s definitely something you need to learn, and quickly. Working at Solasta Finance Company means I won’t spend my first year of work trying to make myself liked or wasting my time with office politics, I’ll already be there.
‘Perseverance is key’
Flora, 22, broadcast journalist intern
Perseverance is key in a competitive industry like TV, so I applied for work experience at the same prestigious place several times before being accepted for an internship. I'd worked to build my experience in the meantime, taking on other internships and winning an award for my journalism. I think that embracing other opportunities ensured that eventually, my application was taken seriously and got noticed.
You’ve also got to work hard and let go of your fear – my job involves cold calling potential interviewees and conducting pre-recorded interviews – you certainly can’t be shy. The days are long too – you often have to be up at 5 to set up a 6.30AM interview and then work all day. But it’s rewarding, you get to sit on those interviews and be right at the heart of everything. That’s what makes it worth it.
'I’ve learned things no degree could have taught me'
Abigail, 21, e-commerce and marketing intern
An internship in e-commerce is a bit niche – I work for an online flower delivery service – but the experience I get is insane, and invaluable. It’s proper, on-the-ground experience that no degree could have taught me. Whether it’s social media management along with blogger outreach and creating content for the blog, work on the back end of the websites, or editing and updating pages and monitoring stock levels I learn new stuff every day.
You also quickly learn how to develop a thicker skin. People have different management styles, and sometimes people’s criticism or feedback might feel a little hash, but learning to take that constructively is all part of the job.
It’s hugely pressured, you need to be able to manage your time and hit deadlines – and you certainly don’t get less work just because you’re an intern – I’m treated as much as proper member of staff as everyone else. The team know I’m capable, because I’ve worked hard to prove myself.
'Don’t wait to be noticed'
Penny, 24, online picture editor and researcher
After leaving university a year ago, I’ve been doing a series of design internships, but this is the longest. I have a design degree and experience of working in a similar environment, and I think this is why I was hired - there was a large number of applicants, but I’d already shown that I could do it.
Quick, creative thinking is really important. Sometimes we get briefed a day in advance, sometimes half an hour. I’ve done whole illustrative pieces within a couple of hours, or edited images for pieces that need to be published within 10 minutes! I love my job, and I get to be creative which is fantastic, but the other aspect of an internship that you need to be able to sell yourself. As women, we're not socialised to shout about our success but it's important to be confident in your work. Don't wait to be noticed, let your colleagues know when you've done something you're proud of. Be vocal when you do good, solid work; do good, solid work with what you're given.
‘It’s 90 per cent hard work and 10 per cent glamour’
Joanna, 20, fashion PR intern
I had to be pretty ballsy to land my internship – I went to an in-store event for bloggers, and managed to get chatting to the Communications Manager of the fashion department – turns out they were after a new intern and she asked me to send my CV in. If I hadn’t taken a chance and got on her radar, I never would have heard about it.
Each day is full on, I start at 9AM, search magazines for coverage of the products which I need to scan and file, and then I could be writing press releases, responding to product requests, booking couriers to take samples to shoots and bringing YouTubers in for office meetings. I love how busy I am, and I feel really valued by the team. You hear horror stories of fashion placements where interns are treated like dirt and are only there to get coffee for the bosses, and although I’m expected to work hard – that’s a given – I’m treated like a valued member of the team. I’ve learned that this industry really is 90% hard work and 10% glamour. You’ve definitely got to work hard to ensure you’ll be remembered and valued when it’s time to progress in your career.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.