Today is National Intern Day, and what better way to celebrate than by talking about the transformative power of internships?
With less than a month left in Skillsoft’s summer internship program, it feels like the summer has completely flown by. I guess time really does fly when you’re having fun (and working hard!). But, the summer is not over yet, and I’ve already learned so much over the past few months, especially when it comes to figuring out what professional values are important to me.
Before starting my internship at Skillsoft, I often grappled with the question of how to find a company where I could do good work while also doing good for others.
I wanted to make sure that I found an internship that was meaningful; one where I was doing purposeful work and could help inspire positive change within the company and beyond. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice your values for pay.
Throughout my time at Skillsoft, I’ve learned that the work can be both personally fulfilling, while also having a positive social impact.
Identify Your Professional Values
It’s important that you figure out what professional values matter most to you. Use these values to help guide both your internship and the career journey you take afterward.
Before starting at Skillsoft, I knew that I wanted to work for company that is committed to making positive change in the community.
At Skillsoft, not only have I witnessed how the company can have an impact, I've supported initiatives that I feel passionate about. What's more, the work I've contributed to helps other organizations commit to making a difference too.
Starting this internship, I told my manager that I was interested in learning more about Skillsoft’s environmental and social efforts. With that in mind, she assigned me to projects that worked directly with leaders in Skillsoft’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts.
Through these projects, I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people throughout the company whose values are aligned with mine and who are committed to making a difference socially, environmentally, and beyond.
Finding those people, asking to collaborate on projects with them, and seeing those projects through has shown me that I’m not alone. There are plenty of other people who care about implementing positive change, and by working together, we are able to have an impact.
Truly, It's a Team Effort
The biggest factor that has contributed to making my experience at Skillsoft a positive one has been the team. For me, the team is what allows you to do work that you care about, while also caring about others.
I've been provided so many opportunities to collaborate on projects that I am passionate about, and their support has given me the chance to actually see those projects through.
Through this internship, I can see that the team at Skillsoft really cares. Not only do they promote initiatives like CSR and ESG to other organizations, they implement them from within. They stand by their work and live their values.
Seeing the efforts that I have been a part of come to fruition throughout the time that I’ve been working here has meant so much to me. Even if I am just writing blog posts about them, or helping produce short videos, I can see that the work we’re doing is actually having an impact and it’s been amazing.
By expressing my interests, sharing the type of work that I was passionate about, saying “yes” to as many projects as I could, and taking initiative to reach out to others throughout the company and asking to collaborate, I have learned so much about the areas that I’m interested in. I’m taking part in work that truly matters to me.
It may seem hard to make a change in a big company, especially as an intern, but you have a voice too.
By staying true to what you believe in and working on projects that matter to you, you will have an impact. Because, if you’re passionate about the work you’re producing, that passion will shine through.
It will make all the difference.
We're Hiring!
At Skillsoft, we are all about “Making Work Matter!” Through immersive learning, we make you unstoppable. Accelerating growth is what we expect for ourselves and you.
