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Practicum. OJT. Internship. Anyway you call it, you will likely go through it. Most graduating students need to log in several hours of work as an on-the-job trainee with a company. Think it’s a waste of time? Not if you use this opportunity well. According to career experts, you can find real benefits from a well-handled internship. Here are some of them:

1. It can clue you in to your dream career. Your classroom or lab experience is vastly different from the real work world. Now is your chance to see what it’s really like to work in a particular industry or field, to know what career options are open, and to narrow down your choices.

2. It can bulk up your future resume. You can include your work samples and experience from your OJT stint in you portfolio. Art designs, computer programs, reports that were used can be value-added items on your resume.

3. It can be an ace during the interview. In addition to your concrete accomplishments, you can stress to the interviewer the valuable skills, achievements and know-how you acquired during the practicum.

4. You can get recommendations and references. If you put in good work, you can even cite your practicum boss as one of your references when you finally go job-hunting. (Be sure to ask permission beforehand.)

5. It can widen your network. If you’ve made friends during your stay, maintain your contacts even after you’ve left. They can give you leads regarding openings in the company.

A number of trainees have successfully parlayed their internship into a winning experience-by getting a job offer from their OJT employer! You can do this too by following these tips:

1. Have enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Show cheery professionalism even when doing such mundane tasks as encoding numbers or photocopying documents.

2. Take the initiative. Let your employer know you’d like to help. Be proactive enough to ask for more work or make suggestions. Be respectful, though, and avoid sounding like you know better than most.
   

3. Make friends. Build a good personal and professional relationship with the managers and employees. You’re displaying you have the soft skills and personality to fit into the company culture.
   
   

4. Ask questions. Since you are not expected to know much yet, use this chance to ask questions and find out more about the company and its ways. Management will be suitably impressed with your interest and eagerness to learn.
   
   

5. Lighten up. Do take your work seriously, but not to the point where you forget to enjoy yourself. As an intern, your goal is not just to absorb knowledge, but to take away some good memories with you when it’s time to go.