Align your internship with your career goals

An internship is an important step in building your career, providing real-world experience, opportunities to network and a taster of your future profession.

To make the most of it, begin by defining your career goals to make sure that your internship is aligned with your long-term aspirations, particularly if you’re considering an international internship. Here’s how to get started

1. Reflect on your academic journey

Think back to why you chose your course or major in the first place. What were your career aspirations when you started? Have they changed? Understanding how your interests have evolved will help you focus on the right internship.

Example: Perhaps you chose business administration because you were interested in management roles. However, after a finance course with an inspiring professor sparked your interest, you are now considering a career in finance. Recognising this shift you might pursue internships in the finance sector.

Action step Write down your original career goals. Compare them with your current professional aspirations. Consider how your interests have evolved.

2. Identify your professional interests and skills

What activities do you genuinely enjoy? What are your skills? Reflect on your strengths and interests to narrow down roles that will be fulfilling and aligned with your talents and natural preferences. Remember, an internship is an opportunity to discover what career path excited you and where you might excel. Don’t get overwhelmed, you are deciding on a direction for a short period of your professional life – summer, semester, or a year-long internship opportunity, not your entire career.

Example: If you enjoy working with numbers, love dissecting balance sheets and analysing financial models to forecast a company’s performance, an internship centered around financial analysis might be the right choice for you. If you’re interested in how companies make critical financial decisions, corporate finance could be an ideal focus.

Action step: List your top three interests and top three skills. Create a list of five potential career paths and write down key responsibilities, required skills and growth opportunities for each.

3. Understand industry trends and the job market

Knowing where the job market is growing and which skills are in demand can provide valuable insights that can help you choose the right internship. By researching current industry trends, you can identify which areas of your field are expanding and what qualifications are needed for different roles. This will help you make informed decisions about your career path and the types of internships that will best position you for future professional success.

Example You might discover a growing demand for skills in fintech or sustainable investing. This could lead you to choose an internship at a company that can help you build these skills.

Action step Research industry reports, job market data and news related to your field. Identify key trends and consider how they align with your interests and skills. Use this information to refine your career goals.

Defining your career interests and goals is the first essential step in making your internship search purposeful and aligned with your future aspirations. Understanding your evolving interests, skills and industry trends will guide you toward opportunities that truly resonate with your long-term goals.

Now that you've started to consider your career goals, knowing your personality and professional traits will allow you to explore what type of internship is best for you.