Time Management and Consistent Behavior in an Internship Program

The performance outcome of an internship program is directly linked to the employability chances of the participating individual. A significant number of employers look at the skills and expertise of an individual post-internship to ascertain their capacity to handle various tasks when employed. According to Dabke (2015), the soft skills possessed by an intern have an impact on the perceptions of mentors and employers alike. Encompassing skills, such as effective time management and consistency in execution of tasks, do not only influence one’s performance during the internship but also determine their ability to get jobs in their placement areas.

Article Summary

The articles by Pereira et al. (2016) and Dabke (2015) present a discussion on the important skills that determine the effectiveness and success of an internship program. Pereira et al. (2016) in their article analyze the skills needed to effectively undertake a medical in-training internship. Through critical review of literature and by engaging the interns in a survey, the researchers determined the critical skills needed for one to perform better in the internship. The study findings show that knowing when to seek help from experts, effective time management, and proper communication were the most important skills that influenced the outcome of an internship program. Thus, it is important that the students in medical schools improve their communication and time management skills prior to being engaged in internship programs.

In another study by Dabke (2015), it is established that soft skills are major determinants of success in an internship program and placement opportunities. The purpose of the article was to examine the soft skills of management interns and ascertain their influence on internship effectiveness. By engaging the mentors of interns in a survey, the researchers found that interpersonal skills, professionalism, and positive attitude and courtesy were the major skills that predicted the positive outcome of an internship program. According to the author, effective interpersonal skills, professionalism and courtesy are regarded as good behaviors that will result in a higher performance if consistently employed within the organization. Having the skills does not guarantee the attainment of a positive outcome unless the desirable skills are constantly employed in the execution of various tasks within the organization. Consistency in good behaviors such as professionalism, courtesy, and a positive attitude towards work is thus linked to enhanced performance in an internship program.

Time Management and Development of a Consistent Behavior

Effective time management is required in any field work activity. Setting goals for every activity and planning ahead are approaches that can be employed to manage time properly. Wise prioritization of the work to be done according to their urgency is another approach of proper time management. Setting and prioritizing goals, adhering to the set plan, and eliminating any possible distractions will result in proper time management as required during field work. Consistent behavior in the execution of tasks and attaining a higher level of performance are influenced by the personality of an individual and the process of tasks execution. Maintaining a high level of professionalism in practice and embracing a positive attitude when executing tasks are the initial steps towards ensuring consistency. This approach should be complemented by setting realistic goals and adhering to to set plans. Being consistent in the execution of tasks and effectively managing the time allocated for field work will likely translate into a high level of performance and increased chances of getting placement.