A major requirement for most degree programs is on-the-job training or practicum. According to the Commission on Higher Education, the purpose of internship programs is to provide college students with real-world professional experiences to supplement their formal education.
The work immersion experience provided by your internship allows you to put into practice the knowledge and skills you learned in class. Other than hard skills, your OJT experience highlights the attitudes and soft skills you need to thrive in the professional world.
Objectives of OJT
Below are the general objectives of on-the job training:
- Provide undergraduate students with a guide for actual workplace experience, exposing them to various management styles, standard operating procedures in these industries, and other processes specific to their field of learning.
- Enhance the knowledge and skills acquired in students’ classroom education through employer-based training, helping them adapt to the future demands of the labor market.
- Develop the life skills of the student interns, specifically those relevant to the values of professionalism, including communication and interpersonal skills.
- Acquire a professional work ethic throughout the course of the internship.
- Establish guidelines for conducting OJTs, such as the required number of hours, amount of workload, learning objectives, and monitoring schemes.
- Define the roles and responsibilities of involved parties (student, higher education institution, and partner OJT organization).
- Provide protocols for situations that may arise during the OJT (e.g., unexpected personal circumstances that require the student-trainee to withdraw from the program).
However, OJT programs must properly engage and immerse the interns for them to take advantage of the learning opportunity. A well-designed internship program enables trainees to apply the principles and theories they learned in the academe.
A study by the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) emphasized the importance of an effective internship program in producing high-performing graduates. A poorly designed OJT program, on the other hand, might result in poor performer graduates, which can contribute to job-skill mismatch.
Ineffective internship program designs are evident in organizations tasking trainees to perform menial, unstructured tasks. These unengaging responsibilities downgrade the value and learning output of the student’s OJT experience. With that, it’s important that all parties involved work to ensure an enriching, fruitful work immersion experience for the trainee.
Requirements and Roles of Student Trainees
Students have to meet several requirements before they can participate in a college practicum course. These requirements vary depending on the university and the practicum coordinator, but these are some of the general ones:
- Be officially enrolled in an internship subject in a higher education institution
- Complete the pre-internship requirements specified in the course description (e.g., waivers, department practicum form, attendance in an internship orientation held by the practicum coordinator)
- Fulfill the required training hours, which are dependent on either the practicum course or the employing company
- Submit a medical certificate indicating good overall health
- Submit a written endorsement from your university, signed by the practicum coordinator
- Submit a post-internship accomplish report to the practicum coordinator, detailing the insights gained from the experience
On top of these, students must apply for a spot in a company’s internship program as one would for a regular employment position. This means going through the traditional hiring process and submitting all the required application documents. For guidance and samples on these requirements, check out our Requirements for College OJT blog.
For most students, their OJT is their first hands-on experience working in an organization. With that, there are many questions surrounding college practicum and internships in general. Internship.ph shares the answers to FAQs about internships below.
FAQs about Internships in the Philippines
Is college OJT paid?
The answer depends entirely on the company you’re interning for. Huge, established organizations are the most likely to pay their interns. On the other hand, non-profit organizations and startups have little funding for their internship programs. Although some small businesses do give their on-the-job trainees daily allowances.
Make sure to read the fine print of your employment contract to know if you’re getting hourly pay or at least a stipend. If there’s financial compensation, the amount should be explicitly stated in your contract. This way, you can follow it up with your employer if they fail to deliver.
Unpaid internships still reward you with other benefits, of course. Apart from immersing you in the workplace, on-the-job training allows you to develop hard and soft skills that aren’t taught in school. Internships are also great opportunities to build your network, which can help you down the line in building your career.
How do I look for paid internships?
Use your connections to look for companies that are offering paid internships. Your college department may already have connections with some organizations that are looking for trainees. You can also ask your alumni about the companies they’ve interned for.
If your connections aren’t helpful, there are plenty of online job search portals that can help you find an internship opportunity that suits your needs. Here at Internship.ph, for example, you can easily find OJT programs with companies that match with your career goals.
Alternatively, you can try social networking sites like LinkedIn. As a professional networking site, LinkedIn has plenty of job postings for internships. They also indicate which opportunities are paid and which aren’t.
You can also apply with international chambers of commerce. These are business communities that organize companies lead by various nationalities. Some examples are the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) and the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM).
These organizations always need interns who can help them gather prospects and leads, organize events and functions, and assist in managing their information database. Internships in international chambers of commerce are best for students in sales, marketing, and communications-related courses.
Another tip to increase your chances of landing a paid internship is to write an impressive resume and cover letter. Make sure to highlight your skills, abilities, achievements, and extra-curricular activities. If you have work experience, be sure to mention that as well.
If you’re involved in any school organizations, indicate the positions you’ve held and the projects you headed during your term. Explain your experiences in detail, use numbers to indicate how much money you raised, how many participants you gathered for your event, and other relevant figures.
Do internships increase my chances of getting employed?
Internships do jumpstart your career, making it a bit easier to get employed straight out of college. But it still depends on the kind of internship program you joined and your performance.
Some companies, if you made a good impression throughout your stay, offer full-time positions to their interns. Accepting the offer can save you from post-graduation anxiety and job-hunting stress. You’re also free to reject the offer if you don’t think the company is the right fit for you or if you’re interested in a different career path.
It also helps if you develop a strong relationship with your supervisor. They’re your number one connection with the company. Plus, they know how you work and can vouch for you if you decide to pursue a regular position with the firm.
And as mentioned before, internships are great opportunities to build your network. If you have good relationships with your co-interns and co-workers, you can ask them if they know any job openings that would suit you.
Can I get an internship after college?
Yes! Internships aren’t exclusive to college students. They’re still valuable learning experiences even if you’re no longer in the academe.
Internships are excellent ways to grow as a professional, develop your work ethic, and figure out what industry you want to enter. If you’re not sure of which career path to take immediately after graduating, taking several internships can help you decide.
After-college internships are also great for when you’re not ready to join the workforce full-time but still want to earn some money. You can commit to a 3-day or 4-day workweek, giving you the time and flexibility for your other interests.
The best thing about post-graduation internships is that they’re relatively easier to land compared to college OJTs. Since you already have prior internship experience, it’s easier for future employers to trust you, especially if you have excellent references.
Can senior high school students get internships?
Yes, you can land an internship even if you’re still a senior in high school. You can juggle the internship with your studies if you can manage your time wisely. Or you can take a short internship course during the summer.
The biggest benefit of internships for senior high students is that it helps you decide on a college major. Gaining hands-on experience in a certain industry or field lets you visualize what your progression would be in that career path.
The experience also hones your discipline and work ethic, which can help you once you step into college. If you’re in senior high, your best bet in looking for an internship is your connections. Ask your family or friends if they know any company that needs an intern or a part-timer.
Conclusion
Ultimately, internships are enriching work immersion experiences that help shape your professional persona and work ethic. Don’t just treat it as a mere college requirement; it’s a highly valuable experience that helps you figure out what you want and map out your desired career path.
Make sure to find an internship opportunity that suits your abilities and interests to make the most of your experience.
If you need assistance in looking for internships, browse our website for opportunities and listings. For more OJT-related tips and resources, visit the Internship.ph blog.
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