Eight keys to carrying out a good work practice (and getting hired)

They say you never forget your first practice. Para todos aquellos estudiantes que están viviendo su primera experiencia laboral, hoy se celebra el Día del Practicante, una jornada para festejar a todos los alumnos que ponen a prueba sus conocimientos aprendidos en la universidad, institutos y escuelas técnicas en el mundo real pendante la temporada of summer.

The pandemic has forever changed the way people work. A large proportion of companies have opted for a hybrid or 100% remote modality for their employees, which also impacts the way in which the practices are carried out.

At KIBERNUM -a Chilean global company that offers the search and hiring of IT talents among its products- they mainly work remotely, especially since they have professionals from different countries. “Being online, the company’s commitment to the practitioner is much greater. You must give him a role in which he can be seen, which corresponds to the company, so that he is one more element of your team and designate a person to accompany and evaluate him”, commented Raúl Vargas , Corporate Governance Manager. “It can no longer be a ‘wildcard’ for supplying daily emergencies or doing routine tasks, since the remote format is not like that.”

A similar case is Deel, a global HR startup where working remotely and hiring talent worldwide is its specialty. “Practice is an example where, after years of study, students can learn the reality of their chosen career. Although at the beginning there may be nerves in the face of the unknown, it will be important to overcome them and be able to show flexibility, adaptability and a desire to learn “, commented Natalia Jiménez, responsible for the regional expansion of Deel for Latam.

Here, the eight keys to carry out your first practice and shine there:

• The priority is not the money: Not all internships are paid, but all are paid in knowledge. Doing a good job from start to finish demonstrates the desire to learn and makes the experience rewarding.
  
• Leave a stamp: Trying to give a little more and think outside the box allows you to leave a personal mark and sometimes a new perspective, you can always contribute with something different and innovative.
  
• Proactivity: Ask for new chore opportunities, show willingness to complete even the heaviest tasks, be positive and lend a helping hand, especially when the workload increases. Everything is learned.
  
• There are no bad questions: every company has its internal codes and there is no way to know if you don’t know it. Losing the fear of consulting is the best way to understand and even learn even faster.
  
• “I was wrong”: It is impossible to have an answer to everything and without making a mistake. Acknowledging your mistakes and trying to improve for next time is much better than justifying yourself. Don’t forget to ask for feedback so you can improve over time.
  
• A new language: Globalization allows you to connect to new worlds of work, even in languages ​​other than your own. Knowing a second or even a third language is a real plus. But if you can’t figure it out, no need to lie, you can always learn.
  
• Learn to be organized: There are days when many tasks add up in a few hours, it is important to be organized in order to be able to accomplish each one of them. A to-do list or diary is a good way to keep track of things.
  
• Networking: Socializing and being willing to get to know your teammates allows you to generate a network of contacts that can be used for a lifetime. Being open to connection (even if it’s virtually if your practice is remote) is the start of relationships that can grow into friendships.
  

“First Gen is our professional internship program where, year after year, at PepsiCo, we receive students from different universities. When carrying out the practice, we always accompany the students in all their needs so that they live our culture and our values ​​from the first moment, among these values ​​are to be themselves, to express their opinion without fear, to act as as owners of their projects, being upright in everything they do or celebrating their success or that of their peers; behaviors that are critical to the career development of anyone starting out in their professional career,” says Leonel Orellana, Human Resources Manager for PepsiCo’s Southern Cone.

And it is that the mentor is a key element in the development of a practice. “The company must be clear who will be the intern’s mentor and understand that part of their responsibilities will be the progress he or she makes during their internship period,” says Raúl Vargas, Head of Governance at KIBERNUM company. “For this, it is essential to define what is the progress and in the time it is expected to occur, which must bring value to the company”, adds the leader.

“We are in a new reality that includes remote working and that can be difficult at times. It is the role of the company to provide support and guide those who are still in training in matters of work,” says Natalia Jiménez, from Deel