As school practice and internship periods draw near, it’s critical that students are well-prepared for the arrival of supervisors. Here is what you need to have prepared for to enable you to maximize this very important period in your academic journey:
1. Supervisors’ Expectations
Supervisors will guide and assess your progress through school practice or internship. They will evaluate how your practical skills, professionalism, and application of theoretical knowledge manifest in real-world settings. Consider that supervisors will:
Regularly visit the site for monitoring and offering feedback on performance.
Assess professional and ethical standards of carrying out practice.
Guide and instruct you on improving and excelling in task assignments.
2. Log Books and Internship Reports
Before the coming of supervisors ensure your log books and internship reports are well and neatly filled;
Log Books: fill in daily activities, accomplished tasks, challenges met or encountered, and skills acquired during your internship/school practice. Keep it up-to-date and neatly organized for easy reference.
Internship Reports: This should include an overall report on the summary of experience, achievement, and reflection of the internship. Be sure to include important projects, skills developed, and a description of how they adhere to your academic learning objectives.
3. Professionalism and Preparedness
The following are examples of how one would demonstrate professionalism:
Dress appropriately; maintain appropriate workplace etiquette.
Punctuality, attention to supervisor meetings, and site visits.
Show initiative, enthusiasm, and the willingness to learn and take feedback positively.
4. Engaging with Supervisors
Use supervisor visits as learning opportunities: Ask questions, clarify tasks or assignments, Share challenges and ask for advice on overcoming them, Take feedback constructively to use in improving performance and skills.
5. Reflecting on Your Learning
Reflect on your internship/school practice experience: Assess your strengths, weaknesses and how this contributes to your career goals. Reflect on how theoretical knowledge can be put into practice and identify learning gaps.
6. Finalising Your Assessment
Ensure that all assessments, evaluations and paperwork are completed promptly, including:
Internship reports and log books, as per your institutional requirement In case of uncertainty or non-clarity on assessment criteria or dates, clarify with your supervisors or academic advisors
Conclusion
Welcome the upcoming visit of supervisors with a lot of enthusiasm and preparedness. This is an excellent opportunity to show your talent, gather constructive feedback, and gain insight into the field you have preferred. It is when you are proactive, organized, receptive to guidance, and willing to learn that you will make the most out of your internship or school practice experience, putting out effective building blocks of your future career.
Prepare well, be focused, and accept this challenge for growth and education. All the very best as you start on this thrilling phase in your academic life!
