5 Ways My Internship Contributed to My Personal Growth

As a college student, internships are an avenue to gain practical experience in your field of study. However, it is more than just a box to tick off on your resume. Beyond the surface-level benefit of earning an internship are the numerous personal growth opportunities that come with it. As someone who has benefitted from interning, here are the 5 ways my internship contributed to my personal growth.

1. Improved Communication Skills

The work environment has a diverse range of people with different backgrounds, personalities, and opinions. My internship taught me the importance of professional communication and the need to be articulate and clear in conveying my thoughts and ideas. I learned how to air my views politely and also actively listen to others.

2. Learned Time Management

Time is a valuable resource, more so in the workplace. Since internships have set periods, there’s always a lot to do within a small window. Managing priorities and planning my tasks ahead of time, helped me meet deadlines and avoid burnout.

3. Expanded My Network

Internship programs offer great exposure because you are working with professionals in the industry. As an intern, I had the opportunity to connect with other industry professionals and create professional relationships. Networking with my fellow interns, colleagues, and leaders allowed me to harness the power of collaboration and build relationships that could lead to future employment opportunities.

4. Became More Adaptable

As an intern, I was charged with various duties that were not always in my job description. The ability to quickly adapt to new roles and tasks helped me become a more valuable team member and showed my flexibility and versatility in the workplace, making me an asset.

5. Developed Self-awareness

Internships give you an opportunity to get feedback on various aspects of your personal and professional life, including your performance, attitude, and interactions with others. This feedback helped me be more reflective and increase my self-awareness. I used this information to modify my behavior and improve in areas that needed more work.

Conclusion

Internships are more than just gaining a foothold in your preferred industry or getting a line on your resume. It provides the opportunity for personal growth in various aspects including communication, time management, networking, adaptability, and self-awareness. These skills are all essential for success in any work environment, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have honed them during my internship.