Intern Insider: Navigating an Academic Internship

As the summer draws to a close and students prepare to head back to school, the challenges of balancing work and academics emerge—especially for those navigating the demanding world of academic internships. In this edition of Intern Insider, we will explore the unique experiences of interns who are not just juggling their coursework and internship responsibilities but are also leveraging their real-world experiences to enhance their academic pursuits. From networking and professional development to personal growth and career planning, this insider offers valuable insights into how interns are applying their workplace learnings to their studies, building confidence and setting themselves up for future success!

Stay tuned as current RELI Group interns share practical tips and advice for fellow students on how to make the most of their internships while staying on track with their academic goals!

Balancing an Academic Internship

Balancing internship responsibilities with coursework can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it’s entirely manageable. The key is effective time management, which starts with setting clear priorities and creating a realistic schedule. Breaking down tasks into smaller, manageable steps can help prevent feeling overwhelmed. It’s also important to communicate with both your academic advisors and internship supervisors to ensure expectations are aligned. Don’t hesitate to ask for support or adjust deadlines when necessary, as balancing both roles successfully often requires flexibility and self-awareness.

Karen Chan, a compliance support intern at RELI Group, shares her insights on managing work and school responsibilities. She notes that while balancing these demands can be challenging, RELI offers flexibility and accommodates varying schedules, even during busy periods. Karen advises, “The key is to communicate openly with your colleagues about any changes in your schedule. Letting them know in advance when school becomes overwhelming can make a significant difference!”

Essential Tools and Apps

To stay on top of both internship and academic responsibilities, many students turn to tools and apps designed to streamline time management. Apps like Notion or Asana allow you to organize tasks and set deadlines, while calendar tools like Google Calendar help in scheduling and tracking important dates for both work and school. Pomodoro timers can also be useful for maintaining focus during study sessions or completing work tasks in short, concentrated bursts. By leveraging these tools, interns can more effectively juggle their commitments, ensuring that they meet their goals in both their academic and professional lives.

Jacob Klohr, a compliance intern at RELI Group, emphasizes the importance of using tools to stay focused and achieve individual goals. He recommends creating a schedule if you’re struggling to balance work, school and personal life. By planning your days, you can ensure everything is accounted for while also taking time for breaks or activities that motivate you.

Applying Internship Experience to Academics

While internships are often praised for the real-world experience they provide, their impact on academic performance is sometimes overlooked. Gaining practical experience through an academic internship can significantly alter your approach to your studies. When you see how classroom concepts apply in a professional context, the material becomes more relevant and engaging. This firsthand experience can boost your motivation to explore your coursework further, knowing that your studies have tangible applications. Additionally, this new perspective can improve your time management and prioritization skills, as you learn to balance theoretical knowledge with practical experience.

William Portillo, an IT intern at RELI Group and a student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), emphasizes the importance of time management above all else in applying his intern experience to his academics. Working in person at the RELI Group ambassador office has allowed him to create an effective schedule, honing not only his time management skills but also his ability to prioritize tasks efficiently.

The skills and knowledge gained from an internship frequently enhance your academic work. Whether it’s advanced communication skills, project management techniques or industry-specific expertise, these capabilities can make a noticeable difference in your class performance. For example, mastering a software tool or honing problem-solving skills at work can give you an advantage on assignments and projects. By applying what you’ve learned in the professional world to your studies, you reinforce your understanding and better prepare yourself for future career opportunities.

Networking and Professional Development

Maintaining connections made during your internship is essential not only for career development but also for academic success. Strong professional relationships can provide valuable insights and resources that enhance your understanding of your field of study. For instance, mentors and colleagues can offer guidance on academic projects, recommend relevant courses or provide feedback on your work. Keeping these connections active ensures you have a network of experienced professionals to turn to for advice and support, which can enrich your academic internship and help you align your studies with industry expectations.

An internship should offer valuable networking and professional development opportunities, and Victor Leke, a cybersecurity intern at RELI Group, is a prime example of how the company excels in this area. He has connected with cybersecurity leaders at RELI who have become invaluable mentors, guiding him in developing key skills and tools. With their support, Victor has grown through resume building, training programs and platforms that have set him on the right path for his career development.

Showcase Your Intern Experience on LinkedIn

When attending career fairs and networking events at college, leverage your intern experience to stand out. Highlight specific projects, skills acquired and achievements to make a memorable impression on potential employers. To keep in touch with mentors and colleagues from your internship, regularly reach out with updates on your academic progress and career goals. Engage with them on platforms like LinkedIn and consider scheduling occasional check-ins or sharing industry-relevant content. These efforts help maintain a strong professional relationship and keep you on their radar for future opportunities.

Networking is crucial, and having the right tools makes all the difference! Hailey Rotz, a Marketing and PR intern at RELI Group, shares her experience with LinkedIn, noting that it’s an excellent platform for building connections and securing internships or full-time jobs after college. Like any social media, being active and posting about your professional and academic achievements on LinkedIn can pay off. “If you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, it’s time to create one—and if you do, be sure to connect with the interns featured on this page!”

Career Planning and Aspirations

An internship can profoundly influence your career goals and aspirations by providing a clearer understanding of your professional interests and strengths. Experiencing the day-to-day realities of a specific field helps you identify what aspects you’re passionate about and where you might want to focus your career. For example, if your internship exposed you to a particular industry or role that you enjoyed, it can reshape your career ambitions and guide you towards more targeted career paths.

In response to these insights, you might take proactive steps in college to align your academic pursuits with your career objectives. This could involve selecting courses that deepen your knowledge in your field of interest or joining relevant clubs and organizations to build a network and gain additional experience. Academic internships are invaluable in shaping a clear career trajectory, as they offer practical experience and feedback that can help refine your goals and make more informed decisions about your future. By integrating these experiences into your academic strategy, you create a more focused and actionable career plan.

What sets RELI Group apart from other government contractors? Pravin Bhandari, a cybersecurity intern, explains that RELI’s internship program immerses interns in real-world scenarios, helping them explore potential career paths. “RELI treats you not just as an intern but as a colleague, providing access to essential resources for success.” This hands-on experience has been invaluable for Pravin and other interns, guiding them toward the right career path after graduation.

Achieving Academic Success Through Internships

As students transition back to school, the journey of balancing internships with academic responsibilities is both challenging and rewarding. Through the experiences shared in this edition of Intern Insider, we’ve seen how interns at RELI Group are not only managing their workloads but also turning their real-world intern experiences into opportunities for academic and personal growth. By applying the lessons learned in the workplace to their studies, these interns are setting a strong foundation for their future careers.

Inspired by their journey? Explore opportunities to join our team: Careers – RELI Group (religroupinc.com)

 

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