What I wish I knew before starting my Internship

You finally get that phone call, and surprise! It is the company you have been trying to work with, and finally, here it is, the call expressing their interest in hiring you for your dream internship role. Life is great, right? Let's look at some critical advice you should check before heading off on a new career journey!

Be prepared to use the money saved for your internship/co-op fees if your program does not provide a co-op option for your degree.

One of the biggest and most blinding realizations I made when I accepted my internship was the part where there is only funding for students if their program has the co-op/internship pathway. Thus, no OSAP funding, bursaries, and financial support from student aid/student awards. As an FBIT student, co-ops/internships need to be paid to be approved, but it is essential to note this in case you need to budget with other living expenses.  

Understand how the length of your co-op term can impact you.

If you are in a co-op program for eight months or longer, be prepared to start paying back your student loans, losing benefits coverage, and losing access to some campus resources. As you are determined "non-student," this leads to the loss of these programs and resources as you are not paying for them as a part-time/full-time student.

Being involved with your job/company can greatly impact your experience.

To feel more connected to the people I work with, I decided to go to my company's head office. With this, I could meet my coworkers in person, attend important meetings with other businesses, and tour the office where I work. Being able to go into the office and do tasks that weren't just answering emails also reminded me why I enjoy what I do. It can be hard to get that in-person balance by being in a hybrid position, but it is worthwhile putting in the extra effort.

Make as many connections as possible!

Internships/Co-ops can be scary, especially for big companies, as there are many levels of the organization. Try to reach out to your boss, coworkers, or other workers you may see and try to get to know them. One of the most important things I did during my internship was connect with management and other coworkers and get to know them. Everybody takes a different path to get where they need to be, so it can be exciting and motivating to get to know somebody better. Additionally, these individuals may assist you in the future with job decisions and help you kick-start your career.

Work hard, you’ll be rewarded!

One of the most significant stressors I could add to anyone in an internship right now would be to work hard. By showing you can complete tasks timely, ask for additional work, and stay on top of work, you are showcasing you can be a good employee. This can lead to summer employment, letters of reference, and potential connections to a job offer when you graduate school. 

If there is any advice I could give from my former internships, it is worth every second to do an internship. The amount of experience and people you meet is valuable to anybody looking to further their career. Please also contact me if you ever have questions or want to learn more about my experiences!