jumpstart your career! april 2008, vol. 8

8/14/2019 JUMPSTART Your Career! April 2008, VOL. 8

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You cannot acquire experience by making experiments. You cannot create experience.

You must undergo it. - Albert Camus

A Quarterly Publicationby PRePARE

Career Development & Training Unit

April 2008, VOL. 8

WORK EXPERIENCE

THROUGH INTERNSHIP

Why internship and what are the benefits?

A good internship programme provides an in-depth knowledge andunderstanding of the company and industry. Not only will you beable to develop/improve your soft skills such as interpersonal skills &

positive work attitudes but also enhance your employability.

Internship programme prepares you for the challenges ahead inadjusting from student life to working life and boost your competi-tiveness amongst your peers.

Also, the transfer of knowledge from theory to practice requires asystematic approach which is achieved through internship.

What are employers expectations toward interns?

e most vital traits of an intern are punctuality, sense of responsi-bility and commitment. You are expected to take the initiative to askwhenever you are in doubt or face problems or challenges as theyarise.

Sense of commitment during the internship should not be any lesserthan the full time employees as you will also be treated like one. isincludes complying with all our company policies and adopting goodwork attitudes.

You should also to be pro-active, willing to learn and contribute as ateam member of our company. Apart from this, we hope that youadop a good working attitude as a reliable and trustworthy employee.

Part of our company philosophy is that we recognise employees asthe most important asset of the company and we believe that ouremployees should Work with us but not for us.

What is your advice to students who are considering aninternship?

e experience obtained during an internship programme is essentialas it gives you an insight to working life and its impendingchallenges.

Take the internship experience as an opportunity to test yourskills & abilities and put theory to good practice. It is aninvaluable learning experience with the possibility of develop-ing and discovering ones interest, talent and capabilities. Itmay even help you determine and give you an early start toyour career path. I

Remember to give your best and most effective performance sothat at the end of the internship you will leave the organizationwith a good and lasting impression.

Internship @ Apex-Pal

Sakae Sushi, a quality brand by Apex-Pal (e Innovative FoodPeople) offers internships to bring value to the company in theshort term as well as provide employability skills particularly inthe F&B industry to students upon graduation in the longterm.

We strive to play a significant role in the development ofhuman capital in this country and globally+ through internaland external training programmes in order to better prepareour employees for a knowledge-based economy.

In the long run, we hope to be the first choice for studentseeking quality internship as well as top of the mind companyfor those seeking a great career path upon graduation.

One of the best ways to get a glimpse of the working world and get work experience while study-ing is through Internships. Here, we spoke to Yew June - Assistant Marketing Manager ofApex-Pal (M) Sdn Bhd(the holding company of Sakae Sushi outlets) who shares her thoughtson internships.


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Set Goals!

ink about what you want to achievethrough the internship. Whether it is toenhance a particular skill or experience real work practices of a particular indus-

try, setting goals will give you a greater sense ofaccomplishmentand a morefocused internship experience.

Learn & Relearn!

No matter how menial the task maybe, avoid thinking its not my job. It is your chance to learnand develop newskillsthat will benefit you later in l ife as you progress in your career. Take everyopportunity available to learn about the company. Attend meetings, seminars or workshops. isis a good way to increase your knowledgeand meet people.

Stay Positive!

Avoid complainingabout having to do menial tasks, being rude to others and talking ill aboutyour colleagues. e most important thing about the internship experience is to complete all

work assignments with enthusi-asm and learn as much from itas pos- sible. Remember the

best way to kill the

internship experienceis being arrogant andnarrow-minded.

Be Responsible!Although you will only beattached to the company for 2-3months, keep in mind that youare actually WORKINGfor the company. You will be

treated as an employee of that

Great things are not done by impulse, bu

Vincent

MAXIMISE YOUR INT

ON taking an InternshipMy dream was to have a successful career. I knew that a degree alone might notvaluable experience and the best way to do so was through an internship.

ON the Internship experienceI was accepted into a business consultancy firm in Chicago, USA. e whole i

working let alone working overseas was exhilarating. is was a chance for meclassroom in a real world context.

I have learnt to be INDEPENDENT which helped me build my CONFIDEinvaluable knowledge, my soft skills such as COMMUNICATION and INTE

and workingmy mentor w

is experience has an enormous impact on my CV which has helped me secuperforming the tasks assigned to me and am definitely more accustomed to the

ON advice to juniorsDo consider internship experience as it is a way to EXPLORE a career withoutNETWORK/ESTABLISH contacts in a field that you may be job hunting for

Rupini Deepa Rajagopalan

Australian University Programme, Graduated - December 2007Now working as Banking Apprentice at Standard Chartered Bank M

REARVIEW:Testimony of an Ex-Student

It has broaden my horizon and EXPOSURE that gave me valuableinsights of the business world.


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company and therefore, you are expected to be present yourselfprofessionallyat all times.Always show up on timeand have the courtesy to inform your supervisors if you are sick ordelayed.

Take Initiative!

Exceedyour supervisors expectations bydoing the best you can in every task assigned to you.Never be afraid to ask questionsand seek advicewhen in doubt. Remember, theres no such

thing as a dumb question. It is safer than diving head on into a problem and create a biggermess.

Network & Build Relationships!

Although not everyone is a good talker, nobody likes to work with a loner!

Be friendlyand interact with your colleagues. Always maintain a goodworking relationship with them. Remember, this internship may open upmore opportunities for you in future than you can imagine.

Evaluate Consistently!

Remember, your internship is to provide

you with practical working experience.erefore, try to evaluate your experi-ence periodicallyby discussing with yoursupervisor on your performance and tasksassigned to you. Keeping a journalis agood way to help you remember and

document the things you have accom-plished and work on your improvements.

by a series of small things brought together. "

Van Gogh

RNSHIP EXPERIENCE

nough. EXPERIENCE counts too. So, my first step was to gain

fNHANCE my academic study and try out what I have learnt in the

as I took on new challenging assignments at work. Apart fromRSONAL skills were greatly enhanced by the diversity of cultureEAMS. However, to me the best part was that my superior becamentil today advises me on my career.

job in Standard Chartered Bank. I am more CONFIDENT inhm of corporate life.

king a long term commitment. Internship is a good way tograduation.

sia Berhad

e internship was a stepping stone for me to EXPERIENCEcorporate life and to learn how organizations work.


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JUMPSTART BULLETINACCELERATE

Upcoming Events

Do you know?...

19 April Soft Skills Training (for Australian University Programme(Year 2))

26 April Soft Skills Training (for Australian University Programme(Year 3))

9 May GE Job Shadow Day

13-14 May Get HIRED! - Opportunities @ Your Fingertips (Sunway eCareer Fair)

Sunway Apprentice Challenge 2008 (on going)

16-18 April AUSMAT Career Exploration Event

Here are some tips to give your learning experience a headstart!

- Give compliments and appreciation but avoid complaining and gossiping about others- Avoid taking calls during meetings or excuse yourself if it is an urgent call- In tense situations, try to calm down and focus on the issue and not the person. Avoid swearing to

make a point whether you are in the right or wrong- Do not spam your colleagues inboxes with forwarded messages- Do not talk loudly in the office whether with your colleagues or on the phone

Speak up when...- You need help or advice on a task or assignment- You are in a meeting. Share your ideas and thoughts- You are overloaded with assignments. Let your supervisor know about your situation

Hush-hush when- You over heard a complaint or gossip from your colleagues. Avoid spreading rumours

Aim to always project professionalism by:- Being punctual when reporting to work, attending meetings or meeting clients- Having a firm handshake, smile and greet everyone with vibrancy- Wearing appropriate attires collared shirts, pants or knee length skirts

-Avoiding tattoos and body piercings. If you do have any, cover them up or not wear them while at work

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