Jumpstart Your Career! Finding an Internship in Adelaide
Internships can be great for giving you hands-on experience in the field that you want to pursue. Adelaide is an excellent city for these, as our community is welcoming.
According to Informed Decisions, our city’s top industries are healthcare and social assistance, professional and scientific services, and accommodation and food services. If you’re eyeing these industries, I highly recommend you intern in the city!
Here, I’ll guide you through the steps you’ll need to take to get an internship. My guide is compatible with local and international students who want to apply their learned knowledge in the real world.
Will you earn money from an internship?
Most internship opportunities in Adelaide are paid, unless you’re applying for a volunteer organization. Don’t expect the pay to be high, though, as it’s usually lower than the entry-level salary.
However, the experience in itself makes up for the time you’ll be spending on the internship. Developing your soft skills during one will be an advantage in the future.
Steps for Finding an Internship in Adelaide
An internship can be a stepping stone in your career, so it’s best to dedicate time and effort to preparation. Here are the steps most students go through in Adelaide before being an intern.
1. Know what you need
First, know why you’ll be seeking an internship in the first place. Common reasons for the training include
- Internship as a course requirement
- Volunteering for a non-profit organization
- Broadening experience under different branches of the industry
By knowing why you need an internship, you can adequately allot time for this. If it’s a course requirement, you’ll probably have fewer academic units, allowing you to attend on-site.
2. Look for opportunities at your institution/college
Now that you know why you’ll pursue an internship, you can research your options. One of the best sources of internship listing is your educational institution’s career service.
Most universities in Adelaide have partner organizations that readily accept interns from them.
What’s great about this is that you have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of former interns, allowing you to know whether the company is a good fit for you.
Keep in mind that internships are available all year round. To be updated, I advise you to check the following websites:
3. Update your resume
Once you know which company you’re applying to, it’s best to tailor your resume to match them. Reading their mission and vision, the corporate environment, achievements, and the like will be handy.
When creating a resume, I advise you to do the following:
- Describe your skill in the context of the company
- Remove unnecessary work experiences/achievements in your resume
- Flesh out your achievements from your related experiences
Some hire resume writers to make theirs more appealing. If you don’t have the budget for it, a good idea is to consult a mentor or a friend who’s knowledgeable in the industry.
4. Contact your network
Networking in the corporate world doesn’t have to start in the workplace; it can start with the people you meet in college. This is especially if you’re active in a student-led or volunteer organization.
Contact those who are active in the industry you plan to enter. Some may even put in a good word for you to help in your application.
You may also benefit from a career coach who can guide you.
5. Submit your application
Are your documents all set? It’s now time to submit your documents to the company!
When applying for an internship, including a cover letter explaining what makes you a worthy applicant is best. You can tell them about your unique skills, achievements, or long-term career plans.
Once you’ve submitted your application, most companies reply within 1 to 2 business days. Of course, be prepared to receive some rejections.
Benefits of an Internship
See how an internship can help you in the long run below. Whether you do it to accomplish a course requirement or gain experience, there’s something to gain.
- You can practice your skills in the real world.
Knowledge from books and classes isn’t enough. You’ll also have to practice it in real life. An internship lets you directly apply the case studies, formulas, and solutions you’ve only theorized about up until now.
- You can start establishing your professional network.
During an internship, you can learn from people in the industry who you can contact once you start working.
- You’ll learn about your strengths and weaknesses
Personally, I learned a lot of things about myself when I applied for an internship, such as my work ethics and how I handle stress. The best part is that an internship gave me room to commit errors and examine myself further before I started employment.
- You can develop your soft skills.
The most significant soft skill you can develop is your interpersonal skills, as you will communicate with people daily. In my internship, I learned professional etiquette, which will be hard to understand with just books.
- Your CV will improve.
Finally, your CV will improve, as hands-on experience is one of the most sought by employers. Not to mention, if they’re impressed, you may even be absorbed as a full-time employee by the company.
How long do internships in Adelaide usually last?
The average internship in Adelaide lasts for about 3 to 4 months. You can also ask for a long duration, but for an internship, it’ll be best to spend it in another company so that you get more experience.
