Graduate internships are sometimes overlooked by students, since they usually associate an internship with the penultimate year of university. However, all is definitely not lost if you have not managed to secure a job by graduation, and it is more important to carefully consider what you want to do in the future and then take the necessary action.<br/><br/>It is crucial to realise the major difference between graduate internships and other types of work experience, namely that the former should lead to full-time employment rather than simply gaining experience of a particular company or industry. Internships will inevitably differ between companies, so you may be helping with a range of tasks during your placement or work on one major project.<br/><br/>However, the key messages are the same. During interviews, you should explain why you think the graduate internship will help you make a good start to your career and what your future plans are. It is best to be honest with the employer and tell them whether you see yourself doing the career or simply see the internship as a way of learning more about the industry and the firm's working culture. Some firms may hold assessment centres, so it is important to practise your technique and stand out amongst the applicants.<br/><br/>Once you have secured a graduate internship, your work still continues. You need to adopt a similar approach during all internships, i.e. be well mannered with employees, ask a lot of questions and be eager to learn new concepts. This will create a good impression with employees, who often report their feedback to a more senior line manager. It is important to consider the internship as a learning experience, while still discovering the best way to get your foot in the door.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Overall, you need to stay motivated even if you have not been successful initially during your search for graduate jobs. A graduate internship should not only be looked upon as a second chance, but also another opportunity to really consider whether you want to embark on a career in a particular field, having had more time to think and develop your skills during university.<br/>
