Internship during Corona times, how do you do that?

21 January 2021 by Manouk (IGWA)

Many students have faced the same challenges during this period: difficulty concentrating during online lectures, uncertainty about the future, lack of social contact, but also doing an internship online. How do students handle this in 2021? Read about the experience of Arjen Brak, Master’s student in Management, Economics, and Consumer Studies at Wageningen.

Where exactly are you doing your internship and what is your role there?

Univé Dichtbij, which is a regional Univé. My internship is an assignment from management, focused on process optimization. I focus on knowledge management and research how advisors can work more efficiently and easily access the right information. I am working on this research to create an advisory report that I will present to the management team. The research will then be implemented.

What is your educational background?

Master’s in Management, Economics and Consumer Studies (MME) – Specialization in Business Studies.

What has changed within the company due to Corona?

Everyone has been working from home since the tightening of corona rules. Before the lockdown, Univé’s stores were still open. For appointments, field advisors would visit the clients. Now, all appointments are online.

To what extent is your internship online or physical?

My internship is entirely online. I have only been to the head office to pick up my laptop.

To what extent has your internship program been affected by Corona?

I started my internship at the beginning of November. Initially, the plan was to work one to two days a week at the office. Unfortunately, this was no longer possible due to the tightening of the rules. Before Corona, I wanted to do my internship in New Zealand. This ultimately was no longer possible. Fortunately, my first attempt to secure an internship with Univé was successful.

Have you thought about postponing your internship because of Corona?

This thought did cross my mind, but I didn’t seriously consider it. I’m actually glad that I can now do my internship, even though it’s obviously different than I had imagined. The internship provides some distraction and ensures that I stay in a routine in my daily schedule. I could have postponed my internship, but I would rather finish my studies than add extra time with a side job in place of an internship. Besides, you don’t know how long the crisis will last, and I just want to complete my internship in a normal way.

Do you think you’re still learning as much from your internship?

You are more on your own, and this brings a sense of responsibility. I’m working on my research, but I have fewer opportunities to really be involved in the organization. You simply do not have the same insight into what is happening or how things normally run on the work floor, and that is something I miss.

Are there any benefits of Corona in your internship?

I can easily get in touch with my colleagues. In my first month, I had around 25 introductory meetings and then conducted around 30 interviews. Everyone indicates that they are always available by phone or email if you have questions. Also, I can join various meetings and stay in contact with different departments. The work area of Univé Dichtbij is quite large, with 25 stores. Via Teams, I can easily contact colleagues, and I can ask questions that otherwise might have been more difficult to ask.

Would you recommend other students to do an internship during Corona times?

I would have preferred to do my internship under normal circumstances as well. It takes more energy to get a good sense of the company and how the work is carried out.

Do you have any tips for students who are about to start an internship during Corona times?

Make sure that expectations are clear at the beginning of your internship. What kind of guidance will you receive, and what does the company expect from you? Also, indicate what you expect from your university and what you want to learn.

The first two months of my internship, I had a daily logbook. Here, I could ask questions and review my tasks with a quality advisor. In addition, my internship supervisor joined the logbook every Friday. We discussed the progress of the tasks and my planning. I recommend planning a fixed time with your supervisor. This helps you stay on track, and you can be sure that you get the guidance you need.

My internship supervisor also expected me to take a proactive attitude. This is important when working from home, as you are less likely to encounter others. Reach out and schedule meetings yourself. Everyone is more than willing to help, but make use of that.