We are a new generation of talent. With accessible knowledge at our fingertips and enhanced quality of life, we have never felt more empowered. Quick-witted and confident, we have higher expectations when it comes to landing a dream job.
In a job market full of talented individuals left, right and center, it boils down to ‘what value I can bring to the table’ to set ourselves apart from equally skilful competitors.
For young talents about to enter the job market, industrial training or internship represent an opportunity to getting a foot in the door with a potential employer.
As is often the case with everything in life, we tend to see things in clarity in hindsight. What follows are some learnings I would like to share with those of you about to dive head first into the labour market — on why you should value and take your internship seriously (more than just to meet the graduation requirement) and make the effort to get a clearer sight on having your career path mapped out.
READ: 3 great reasons to apply for the Astro Scholarship Programme 2016
While the industry you will soon embark on may differ from mine, the principles are essentially the same.
The media industry is often regarded as a glamorous career path. While it may be true to a certain extent, none of those who have made a name, got to where they are today without sweat and tears. A high achiever is not guaranteed to have more successes without being adaptive and having a growth mindset.
I landed my first two-month internship at Astro in late-2009. I was attached to the magazine desk and was tasked to assist five TV Producers with their respective shows. The hands-on experience was invaluable to me. It wasn’t long before I started seeing my name in the End Credits of talk shows and magazine programmes that I have played a part in the production.
The rapid pace in the newsroom had me on my toes. I did not quite have a good grasp of what to expect from one week to the next. There were moments when I was overwhelmed and days that I dreaded.
Nearing the end of my second industrial training at Astro, I was offered a full-time position. Based on my work performance as an intern assistant producer, I had proven myself worthy as a new recruit. To be frank, at the point when the offer was made, I was not entirely sure if working in the TV and news media industry was my thing. I majored in media studies and marketing communications, it is through field experience that I picked up on the required knowledge about TV production.
Eventually I took the offer and within the first month on the job I was well on my way to kick start the longest-running English technology show in the market. I have since moved on to take up many more roles within the company, gaining new experiences and learnings as I go.
In retrospect, what worked for me was that I held on to the following principles:
1. Take initiative and be ready to roll up your sleeves to assist in any way you can.
2. Stay focused and take one step at a time. Shortcuts are tempting as they seem to save us a lot of time. However, habitually be on the lookout for shortcuts make us lazy learners.
3. Be responsible and take responsibility when things go wrong. Inevitably, mistakes occur. What I learned is to own up to our mistakes and shift the focus on solving the problem in order to move things ahead.
4. Say “Yes” to new challenges and always be ready to seek for and take advice from the experienced. There are always room for improvement. Having a growth mindset is crucial for longterm success. Take a second and ask yourself, when will you ever have the opportunity to work alongside industry veterans to learn and develop your skills?
5. Treat the internship like a real job and work as a team player. Take the job seriously if you want to be taken seriously by your manager.
6. Actively seek for updates relevant to your industry. Read up or listen to materials that are outside of comfort zone. In my case, I started to read up on technology, business and economy. You will never know when the knowledge will come in handy somewhere down the road.
With each passing day, it becomes more and more imperative to know how to set apart your value proposition to prospective employers. How else are you going to be noticed from the rest of the crowd in this ever-changing global workplace?
Cherish Leow
Mon Mar 14 2016
![Attention all interns: 6 tips to land your dream job Attention all interns: 6 tips to land your dream job](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-03/81457948545_IntershipStudent.jpg)
In a job market full of talented individuals left, right and center, it boils down to what value I can bring to the table to set ourselves apart from equally skilful competitors.
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-12/41702437730_maut.jpg)
Enam rakyat Vietnam ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok
Enam orang ditemukan maut di sebuah hotel di Bangkok, Thailand pada Selasa laporan media tempatan yang memetik polis Bangkok.
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721139141_TBJDUSHA.jpg)
Isteri calon gandingan Trump letak jawatan di firma guaman
Usha Vance, isteri kepada Senator J.D. Vance yang dipilih sebagai calon gandingan bekas presiden Amerika Syarikat (AS) Donald Trump awal minggu ini, telah meletakkan jawatannya di sebuah firma guaman,
![Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-05/71683779541_TBNAJIBRAZAK.jpg)
Najib fail permohonan di mahkamah rayuan cabar Titah Adendum
Berdasarkan sistem e-filing mahkamah, rayuan itu telah ditetapkan untuk pengurusan kes pada 7 Oktober ini.