Rosalia Hangula. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED
Rosalia Hangula. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED

The importance of internships

Rosalia Hangula
Internship programmes help students gain practical experience, develop valuable skills, and build networks with other HR professionals. This is equally significant due to the fact that it enhances students career prospects and makes them more competitive candidates when they have to seek employment opportunities in the labour market.

Internships allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world employment settings, allowing them to learn by doing and gain hands-on experience in the field of human resources at large.

During internships, students develop crucial skills such as professional writing skills, customer service skills, the ability to handle and/or deal with problems, and time management, as they have to prioritise their work depending on the urgency, being critical and being important at the same time.

I would therefore say that an internship allows students to explore different aspects in the field of human resources and gain a better understanding of the guiding principles, such as the Labour Act, the Social Security Act, the Affirmative Action Act, and many more.

It is therefore important for students to be given opportunities to gain practical experience on the job that will boost their self-esteem, which will allow them opportunities to be able to serve the highly demanding labour market in terms of experience and technical know-how. This is thus crucial for their future career endeavours.

Improved professional possibilities are a direct result of this exposure. Interns stand out as more competitive applicants because they have practical experience in addition to their academic credentials. Their confidence is bolstered by the on-the-job experience, which prepares them to meet the demands of the contemporary labour market.

By offering these chances, businesses foster a pool of knowledgeable and experienced workers and make an investment in the future of the HR industry. For students, internships are more than a short-term position; they are a life-changing opportunity that opens doors to successful and satisfying careers.

*Rosalia Hangula is a human resource practitioner at the Office of the Judiciary.

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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