Introduction
Often, an internship is always the first glimpse of every young individual has when starting their careers. The experience that they get could be the beginning of them realizing that they indeed have stumbled upon the job of their dreams. However, the experience can also set these young people on a different path. Mastering the skills of communication, problem-solving as well as other skills is beneficial to any organization. As the new IT consultant at Brexx Networks and Solutions, I require soft skills such as problem-solving abilities, communication, and ability to work when under pressure as well as teamwork.
Soft skills and Internships
Internships come as a result of the skills that one learns from what universities teach. Through real-life experiences, there is a development of necessary soft skills. According to Hoy (2011), internships are useful in building up confidence that o ne uses to attempt and attain the desired position. The internship will significantly help me get one foot in the door of the organization thus becoming a full-time employee becomes a possibility. Mastering these skills sets a tone for any career. Becoming an IT consultant requires excellent knowledge of the business processes, computer systems, strategic planning, analytical skills, ability to manage several projects across multiple departments and problem-solving skills.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving skills are required on a daily basis as far as consulting is concerned. In IT consultancy, problem-solving is usually where the rubber hits the road. In the process of problem-solving, one has to review the diced, sliced and processed data to develop solutions that will ultimately be the recommended course of action presented to the clients. However, to effectively problem-solve a clear plan has been in place. Boyd (2012) argues that having a plan in place for the problem-solving process is required for practical solutions. A problem needs to be identified then prioritized to find w hat facets are top priorities. After that, the problem must be defined by asking the right questions as well as talking to the right people for help. Finally, to solve the problem one needs to choose individuals with the right conceptual and technical skills. It is good to understand that problem solving is a process that without planning issues will persist.
Communication skills
Excellent communication skills can be one of the deciding factors of a successful internship. Communicating with people around you the right way brings people on the same page. Some of the essential skills an IT consultant intern can abide by include giving clear and unambiguous directions, listening intently and being empathetic towards other employees. To stand out as a unique intern, one has to think carefully before saying anything, to understand the WHY behind the processes and take responsibility for their actions. It is advisable to listen intently and absorb as much information as possible to get the most out of the short internship of 12-24 months. The information systems in the company are involved, and they require an intern who is equipped with excellent communication skills to break down the technical and complex idea to those who are not of that background. IT consultants are paid to communicate. Therefore it is a must that they can talk to clients about their ideas and successfully make what they are offering worthwhile.
Working under Pressure Skills
At any place of work, the pressure is inevitable. IT consulting can many times be unpredictable, and it requires much from a consultant, which causes pressure beyond w hat one could handle. Excessive force or stress can lead to unproductiveness and compromise the output quality. Robbins et al. (2015) argue that one must define the energy needed to upsurge the drive while channeling it toward achieving a goal. Working under pressure sometimes can be demanding and tiring but by devising a clear vision and upholding a positive attitude can significantly help one remain focused. In this case, one can incorporate the skill of planning to assist in making every other day at work less overwhelming thus having full control of the day as well as the outcome. By adequately p lanning every day’s projects, unnecessary stress is alleviated hence resulting in less frustration and focus on the goal.
Teamwork Skills
In any consultancy, teamwork is a building block. Through collaboration, there is the development of superior solutions and teams become more efficient and fast. A cquiring the soft skill of cooperation is essential e specially if the company is in the middle of projects. Working with a group allows everyone to showcase their ideas and jointly solve problems at hand. As an intern, collaborating with the other employees offers the ability to experience what others think and their views, which is a life-changing experience. Trybus (2011, 34) states that “leaders do not succeed by working alone but rather by building a culture of shared leadership where ownership is distributed.” While developing oneself as a leader and person, it is good to work with others to generate new skills and ideas. When planning on how to work on different projects with different clients, we join forces so as to develop the best solution there is for the project. We collaborate with clients to create solutions that are viable for their businesses.
Organization skills
Brexx Network and Solutions is a business where logistics meets consulting and has a considerable client base. Therefore, effectiveness, productivity, and hard work are important to the company. Apart from the soft skills discussed above, I believe I have organizational skills that would bring to Brexx Network and Solutions to the next level. Organization skills allow one to have a clear train of thoughts as well as good work ethic. Brexx Network and Solutions would benefit from my organizational abilities in this position because I would maintain structure hence increased efficiency, increased self-awareness, lower frustrations and professional appearance.
Conclusion
Problem-solving, communication, working under pressure, teamwork and organizational skills is all soft skills necessary to for one to acquire to succeed in the business world. I believe that with these skills I will bring forth a compelling experience as an IT consultant intern at Brexx Network and Solutions. Through internships, we grow and learn the necessary skills required to succeed in our careers of choice. I t is an experience that one cannot acquire at the university level. The skills have made it easier for me to work in the company and it makes me look forward to full-time employment after this.
References
Hoy, M. (2011). Building Pathways To Working With Collections: Can Internships And Student Work Experience Help?. Australian Academic
& Research Libraries , 42(1), 29-42.
Robbins, S. P., De Cenzo, D.A. & Coulter, M. (2015). Fundamentals of Management (9th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Trybus, M. A. (2011). Facing the Challenge of Change: Steps to Becoming an Effective Leader. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 77(3), 33-36
