How to know it's a good internship

Long gone are the days when the only thing an intern does is making coffee or photocopying. In modern times, a bad internship takes various forms, and it’s more greatly disguised you don’t even know it’s a bad one until you look back to see months of not gaining anything valuable. It’s even harder to pick the right one, especially when you’re fresh in the internship world. Before wasting another month, check for these signs of a good internship.

Goals and expectations are clear from the get-go

It’s a good sign if you and your employers can agree on specific goals before you start work. It allows you to monitor your performance, and also prevents interns from slacking around and employers from overworking interns. Without setting the record straight from the start, you and your employers will end up failing each other’s expectations and not achieving anything of value at the end of the internship.

One of the expectations that must be transparent is your career advancement. Some companies take in interns with the intention of developing potential talents that may eventually become one of their own. Some need interns as dogsbodies for them to focus on important things. If you fall in the first case, congratulations. If it’s the latter, you probably don’t even get to know. When you don’t see a clear possibility of advancing beyond the internship, bring this matter straight to your boss and show your willingness to give your best. Once they can’t give you a definite answer, it is best to say goodbye when you think you have learned enough.

You are kept busy

Wouldn’t it be nice to just lay around all day while (possibly) being paid? Not when you’re doing an internship. It's not a good internship unless you’re having new challenging tasks thrown at you every minute, and somebody always checks up on your progress. It means your boss cares about you enough to give you many chances to grow. Don’t worry if you make mistakes: it is very much expected of an intern, and you’ll gain more lessons from your failures than success.

Remember the point of an internship is to gain knowledge. Some interns think they hit the jackpot when they land an internship where the job is easy, or one that comes with good compensation. But unless your tasks force you out of your comfort zone, you don’t really learn anything and the internship is a waste of time.

That being said, it should not be overwork. If you have to bring work home or work extra hours, you might want to think again.

There is mentor and training

Most companies don’t have time to offer formal training, but instead have interns learning-by-doing. This can get very difficult and at times intimidating unless you are assigned to a mentor. This person plays a very important role in guiding you through the heap of new knowledge that may seem overwhelming for someone new. Apart from sharing the necessary experience to get the job done, a good mentor will give you an insightful view into the company’s culture and structure. Once you fully understand how the company works, you’ll know what it takes to stand out in your employers’ eyes and make your way to higher positions. Even if you decide not to stay at the company, a mentor still makes the best professional connection after your internship.

To make good use of a mentor, stay proactive. Take note of everything and keep raising any idea you have. Don’t hesitate to ask a question or else you’ll miss a chance to learn.

You are involved in meetings

You know you’re under good hands if they involve you in the creative process. It is a sign that the boss values an intern’s opinion and is willing to let them establish themselves in the company. Even if you don’t have much to say in these meetings, it is a good place to study the organisation and observe from up close how the professionals work. If you find yourself excluded from this privilege, there is a possibility that your boss just wants to keep the meetings as productive as possible. In that case, ask if you can be there as an observer - not only do you get a chance to learn, but this will also prove to your boss how dedicated you are to the development of the company.