Experiential Learning Can be Difficult
For
many students at Kaplan University, the decision to engage in a degree program
came to them at a later part of their life. Many have already been an active
member of the working community and decided to return to school to open new
doors and offer better opportunities. The conversation of returning to college
after years in the workforce is not an easy one. Many are intimidated by
younger students and professors, while others are overwhelmed by the increased
demand for their time. This is not a decision that should be entered into
lightly nor is the decision to embark on an internship, but here we are.
After spending countless hours’ writing papers, finishing assignments and participating in classroom discussion, students are now awarded the opportunity to apply the learning in a simulated working environment. The process is as stressful as the rest of the college experience. You are the new kid in the meetings trying to keep up with the seniors. The seniors are trying to integrate new interns into the program while managing their heavy workload as well. Communication is all electronic which offers an added level of frustration and confusion. Several emails are received daily with instructions of yet more programs you need to learn.
Regardless of all the stress and anxiety that accompanies an internship there is also the excitement of the opportunities that can follow. The best way to reduce the amount of stress an intern is feeling is to be as organized as possible and schedule time everyday to work on the program. On-line internship differs from a traditional internship in the sense that first impressions, how to dress and what to bring, does not apply. It is harder to make an on-line impression and so you do this with being on time for the meetings, checking emails regularly and engaging in conversations with peers. For some of us, an internship is the end of a two or four year journey of completely assignments on time and engaging with fellow classmates and our professor. The internship affords us the opportunity to apply the structure from the class room in an environment similar to the one we will be entering after graduation.
Life is not perfect, nor is the process of apply for a job. It would make sense that the internship process also has its flaws. Being organized and creating a set of goals for the program is a great way to ensure you will get the most out of the internship. Experts also state that interns which are proactive and take part in shaping their goals and assignments have a better experience. This shows the supervisor that you are a key player and will produce quality work. As an intern you must also be careful not to over promise and under deliver. Many times an intern is overexcited for the opportunity and then disappoints the managers when the work load turns out to be too much for them.
Through the journey at Kaplan, students have experienced several different professors that all had a very different style and approach to teaching. The constants that students could rely on were the discussion posts, deadlines and seminars. Assignments and quizzes were all handled very different depending on the instructor. The professors were preparing us for life after college and now the knowledge that was gained can be applied to the internship. Along with the knowledge that was gained, students can find useful information on the internet that can give them a leg up for success.
Allison Green talks about the top 10 tips for a successful internship and many of them can be applied to an on-line program. First, know what to expect and if you are unsure ask questions. Many of the interns have suffered from confusion with their job description and placement. However, confusion happens in life and it is the responsibility of the student to ask questions and be persistent until they are clear as to the expectations. It is then advised that an intern gain trust early to show that you pay attention to details and are here to work. Staying focused on your work, mirror others behavior and taking your work seriously are all ways to be successful in an internship program.
Even though an internship is unpaid, real work experience goes along way when applying for a job. Many new employers want to see a college degree as well as some real-time experience before they consider a candidate for a position. The downside is that you need experience to get a job but can’t get experience without a job. Internships are the bridge that employers are looking for and there is always a chance that an intern can be offered a position at the company once they have finished school. For this reason and for your own credibility, it is important to treat an internship like you would any job. A strong work ethic is something that is instilled into people and those that have one also has a tendency to be more successful.
After spending countless hours’ writing papers, finishing assignments and participating in classroom discussion, students are now awarded the opportunity to apply the learning in a simulated working environment. The process is as stressful as the rest of the college experience. You are the new kid in the meetings trying to keep up with the seniors. The seniors are trying to integrate new interns into the program while managing their heavy workload as well. Communication is all electronic which offers an added level of frustration and confusion. Several emails are received daily with instructions of yet more programs you need to learn.
Regardless of all the stress and anxiety that accompanies an internship there is also the excitement of the opportunities that can follow. The best way to reduce the amount of stress an intern is feeling is to be as organized as possible and schedule time everyday to work on the program. On-line internship differs from a traditional internship in the sense that first impressions, how to dress and what to bring, does not apply. It is harder to make an on-line impression and so you do this with being on time for the meetings, checking emails regularly and engaging in conversations with peers. For some of us, an internship is the end of a two or four year journey of completely assignments on time and engaging with fellow classmates and our professor. The internship affords us the opportunity to apply the structure from the class room in an environment similar to the one we will be entering after graduation.
Life is not perfect, nor is the process of apply for a job. It would make sense that the internship process also has its flaws. Being organized and creating a set of goals for the program is a great way to ensure you will get the most out of the internship. Experts also state that interns which are proactive and take part in shaping their goals and assignments have a better experience. This shows the supervisor that you are a key player and will produce quality work. As an intern you must also be careful not to over promise and under deliver. Many times an intern is overexcited for the opportunity and then disappoints the managers when the work load turns out to be too much for them.
Through the journey at Kaplan, students have experienced several different professors that all had a very different style and approach to teaching. The constants that students could rely on were the discussion posts, deadlines and seminars. Assignments and quizzes were all handled very different depending on the instructor. The professors were preparing us for life after college and now the knowledge that was gained can be applied to the internship. Along with the knowledge that was gained, students can find useful information on the internet that can give them a leg up for success.
Allison Green talks about the top 10 tips for a successful internship and many of them can be applied to an on-line program. First, know what to expect and if you are unsure ask questions. Many of the interns have suffered from confusion with their job description and placement. However, confusion happens in life and it is the responsibility of the student to ask questions and be persistent until they are clear as to the expectations. It is then advised that an intern gain trust early to show that you pay attention to details and are here to work. Staying focused on your work, mirror others behavior and taking your work seriously are all ways to be successful in an internship program.
Even though an internship is unpaid, real work experience goes along way when applying for a job. Many new employers want to see a college degree as well as some real-time experience before they consider a candidate for a position. The downside is that you need experience to get a job but can’t get experience without a job. Internships are the bridge that employers are looking for and there is always a chance that an intern can be offered a position at the company once they have finished school. For this reason and for your own credibility, it is important to treat an internship like you would any job. A strong work ethic is something that is instilled into people and those that have one also has a tendency to be more successful.
References:
Green,
Allison (2011).10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Internship. Retrieved from: http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/10-tips-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-internship/3
Sabatino,
Colleen. Four Goal-Setting Tips. Retrieved from http://www.internships.com/student/resources/workplace/the-first-few-days/four- goal-setting-tips
The
First Few Days. Retrieved from http://www.internships.com/student/resources/workplace/the-first-few-days
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