WHAT MAKES A GOOD INTERNSHIP Not all internships are alike just as all classroom or job experiences are not alike.  How should you approach using your time to find an internship that will offer good value to you? First, CLIDA suggests that you identify the purpose for your interest in an internship.  Do you wish to explore a professional field as a possible major or do you already have a major and wish to obtain concrete skills that will take you into the job market after graduation?  Second, does a particular internship provide an opportunity to learn something that you do not already know?  Will it stretch you?  No advantage is gained by doing an internship that does not challenge you to learn and grow.  Third, will an internship provide strong supervision or mentoring?  Supervision or mentoring on the job is highly valued by entry-level professionals.  A good supervisor or mentor offers an opportunity not only to learn new skills in a protected environment but as a means to develop a relationship with a professional who may take a personal interest in your career development, open doors for you, and help you advance.  Additional criteria that make a good internship experience are characterized by defining clear expectations for performance:  Are your responsibilities clearly outlined?  Will you be asked to develop goals and objectives that you will accomplish during your internship?  Will you be provided a workspace of your own?  Will training be provided for any work you are assigned?  Becoming a well-informed consumer will allow you to evaluate the culture of an organization and make a decision if it is a best fit for your needs.  Remember, an internship is a two-way street.  The employer has expectations of you for performance on the job (things you will provide for the organization) and you should articulate what you wish to accomplish by having this particular internship. With this combination in mind, your internship can become an opportunity to combine classroom and real world experience that will support you for years to come. Students Share What Makes a Good Internship Program at CLIDA It's time to hear from the students—the young professionals in Italy who will do or have done an international internship. Qualities of a Successful Program According to interns at CLIDA, these are the five key elements of a successful internship program: cooperation, inclusion, education, a sense of openness, etc. Prior to the internship, CLIDA will seek to cooperate with the student in designing the goals and schedule that will be effective for both the employer and the intern. CLIDA will want to consider the experiences that most closely relate to the student's area of interest and any extra "bonus" experiences they can provide for die student. One intern mentioned that their internship organization let them attend meetings of substantial importance. The student felt they were respected enough to be included in this meeting, which led to feelings of acceptance. Open lines of communication play a key role in the efficiency and the effectiveness of an internship program. Students want to know how well they are doing. This feedback is valuable to the professional growth of the student. It can serve as explanation of the areas they are doing well and the areas in which they need to improve. The more open their supervisor is, the more likely the student will be willing to express their concerns or ask questions before the engaging a new challenge. Top 10 tips for interns | What Employers are looking for