How Do Companies Use Technology to Enhance an Internship?

Quick answer: Companies use technology to run daily work faster and more efficiently, from digital platforms and online collaboration to video interviews. Interns see these tools in action, which builds digital skills employers ask for. Technology also helps students find and apply for internships abroad through online calls and interviews.

Why does technology matter in an internship?

Over the past 20 years, we have noticed many changes in our daily lives, which are all fueled by changes in technology - from Windows XP expanding our imagination of what could be done through computers, to this era in which not using social media implies you are either out-of-date or trying to disconnect from the world in some ways.

In the 21st century, companies are looking forward to digitalizing their work system so as to be agile and efficient in response to customers’ demands. Hence, we see that ‘technology/digital platform literacy’ for employees is crucial in the survival of today’s business. According to a PwC research, a majority of college graduates frequently receive further education and training to develop their digital skills, whereas only 17% say otherwise.

Indeed, we can say that students need to understand technology usage, in regard to the changes in the industry as well as how it would benefit them. So, where else can a student experience this phenomenon better than during their internship duration in a workplace? According to Zehr and Korte(2020), intern students would learn a company’s culture and routines (in varying degrees); as well as social interaction with their respective mentors/managers and fellow interns, throughout the entire duration of the internship. This implies that students would come to realization on how technologies are used in the context of a certain company to perform certain tasks; and even be used to evaluate their performance throughout their internship.

How do companies integrate technology into their work?

Companies integrate technology in a wide variety of ways, mainly because it improves efficiency. Technology does make everything so much easier. Here are some examples:

• The Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) - featured by Harvard Business Review in a case study on its digital transformation - demonstrates the integration of digital technologies and innovation at the core of its operation to assist in the ways which businesses are conducted.
• DBS has used its tech to innovate training programs for start-ups and entrepreneurs and novel products and services (with the help of lean start-up methodology), which employees can collaborate on with one another with the support of their managers throughout the process. This comes with its innovation-encouraging corporate values.

It is likely that such culture and mindset would be internalized by the interns to realize the expectation of their roles and contributions throughout the internship duration. Moreover, they learn to visualize firsthand the importance of technology deployed in the operations and how it comes into play to facilitate the financial products and services in response to customers’ demands.

Such observation and tangible experience with the use of technological innovation would grant them the mindset to realize the power of such technology in the carrying out the tasks; as well as shaping their view of the banking and finance industry. This plays an additional role to provide the complete picture of the industry apart from what they may perceive out of the books, as well as enhancing required employability skills for the industry before they enter the workforce later. A lot of benefits indeed!

How does technology help students find internships abroad?

At present, students can search for internship programs more extensively, including ones which may be outside of their homelands with aspirations for better learning opportunities. This is due to the possibility of well-developed telecommunication platforms and Internet, enabling companies to conduct online interviews with talents across the globe who fulfill preliminary requirements to select the right talent who can make a difference for the companies.

This can be best explained by the services provided by AIP, as we help students to look for suitable internships based on their preferred internship positions, industry of interest, future career goals, and preferred destinations. We learn these in a free online call with a career advisor.

Consequently, having found the match in one of our partner companies with our students, we would then schedule interviews between our partner companies and our students in order that the companies can learn more about the students’ profiles and well as the students’ intentions in his/her future career choices while our students can learn more about the offers from the companies and the internship positions of interest - making the student’s search much easier!

How does AIP use technology to match students with internships?

AIP works with host companies in 16 countries plus Remote, across many industries, for all students, from creative heads (like graphic design) to serious number crunchers (like finance). If you still don’t know about things you want or like to do just yet, you can contact us for a consultation to know more about the industries too! In addition, technology can enhance an intern’s experience through program funding, as knowingly the issue of funding can pose an effect on the internship and on the students.

Can technology help you fund an internship?

Hence, we also have included the platforms and websites where students can look for:

1. Program fundings and scholarship allowance from Europe and North America to aid our students who are in need of financial assistance.
2. Scholarship search engines that match you to awards, plus university funding for internships taken for credit. This is to ensure that our students’ internship experience and learning do not stop simply because of the lack of funding.

Ready to apply for an internship with AIP?

With all the mentioned platforms, students can assure they realize where to obtain necessary amount to complete their internship, along with enhancing further their experience to present themselves in the ‘right pitch’ in order to obtain their goals which can be useful for their future career prospects and can add a depth of ‘flavors’ to their overall experience.

With such benefits in the use of technology by corporations, students’ internship experience and visualization for the industry can be enhanced to realize what they can potentially expect from the industrial point-of-view. Indeed, applying with AIP gives you support before and during your internship, including visa assistance and 24/7 emergency support. So, what is there to wait for? Talk to us in a free call with a career advisor and start your internship search now!

FAQs

How do companies use technology during internships?

Companies use digital platforms to manage tasks, collaborate across teams, train staff and track performance. Interns learn these tools by using them in real projects.

Why is digital literacy important for interns?

Employers expect staff to be comfortable with digital tools, and many graduates say they keep training to improve their digital skills. An internship is a good place to build them.

Can I find an international internship online?

Yes. With AIP, your first step is a free call with a career advisor, and companies can interview you online before you travel.

How does AIP match students with host companies?

We learn your preferred role, industry, career goals and destination, then look for suitable host companies and arrange an interview. Finding a placement takes about 8 weeks from your deposit, and if we can't place you, you get your full deposit back.

Where can I look for internship funding?

Our internship funding page lists university funding, scholarships, employer or family sponsorship and ways to pay in stages.

Want to see how it works? Read how AIP works or browse our destinations.