At Mindjumpers we love working with talented young people, so we put a lot of effort into finding candidates for internships with the right mind set for working at Mindjumpers.
We don´t want our interns to be ‘just’ interns, we want them to be a part of the agency while they are there, just like any other employee.
As an intern you don’t have to know exactly where you are going to be in five years, that’s what the internship and the management of the company where you chose to do your internship hopefully will help you get a little closer to.
I find it both fulfilling and giving to work with dedicated young people, I believe helping students with their thesis or having an intern can as a leader provide you with great knowledge and experience.
We just found two interns for the August to December period and I look so much forward to get them on the team. Our last intern, a brilliant young woman - Sara Hansson is ending her 20 weeks in less than 20 days - and she has been of tremendous value to Mindjumpers. I asked Sara to write up her view and advice to students seeking internship - because I think what she has valuable knowledge to share - I am absolutely amazed by her strong points - but be the judge yourself, and if you are on the look out for your internship, I hope you can use some of her tips.
The following have been written by Sara Hansson.
In my opinion, internship would be a part of every education. I’m one of those who believe in “Learning by doing”. You get to work side by side to people who work within the field. Your skills are put on test and you get to push yourself to remember what you’ve learned in the same time as you have to adapt the working methods and the new environment that you’re placed in. It gives you another understanding and a realistic view of what’s actually expected of the role you’re looking for.
I’m studying at a program called Creative Marketing that includes 28 weeks of internship. I did my first 8 weeks at an agency with a focus on event marketing, a place where I drove around in a nice looking business car and got an expensive gift in the end. In the middle of that I did some “safe tasks” and some complete-out-of-my-field-tasks. I guess all experience is good experience in one way or the other, but it didn’t bring me any new knowledge or valuable new skills. When going out on my last 20 weeks I was eager to find a place where I could develop and achieve much more.
I’m now at my end of my 20 weeks of internship at Mindjumpers. I couldn’t find a better place to learn from and to be a part of. Jonas has showed interest in my personal development from the start and seen the advantages of what I can provide the agency. If you don’t get the chances and responsibility it’s hard to prove yourself as an intern. Nothing is being hid or held away from me because I’m an intern. I’m being met as any other employee and have the responsibilities that expects out of my role. This is the main thing that makes me glad about doing my internship at Mindjumpers. I’ve got insights in how the agency works and all the opportunities I could get to grow. I’ve developed much more then I first thought.
The internship is a part of your education. That means its one part of your way to finally get the job you wish for. No business cars or gifts beat the value of the huge step you take in your career when you’re handed the opportunities to grow. This is my 5 advices for those who going out on their internships:
If you have a long period of internship, do it at one place. People can involve you in more projects and you have time to learn knowing the company and the employees.
Tell them about your goals and what you expect from your internship. What can you provide to them and what you would like to learn more about? It could be a good thing to talk about at the first interview.
There are those internships where they use you for tasks they don’t want to do themselves or meaningless projects that are made up so you have something to do. Don’t be afraid to change to another place where both sides can gain value.
Be eager to take on every chance that comes in your hand. Embrace the responsibilities you get and believe in yourself. If you are not completely sure of how to do something then try! Who knows, maybe you do a task in a different – but new and creative – way?
Aim for the company that you find interesting. Follow your interests and think of what value it brings you.
