You have secured an internship through the Reading Internship Scheme, but how do you prepare yourself for your internship? We have put together some useful resources for you to help you with your preparation.
LinkedIn Learning
The University of Reading has licensed LinkedIn Learning for all current students. Accessible through your usual University of Reading login credentials, LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that allows you to develop skills through professional and expert-led video tutorials.
Our top picks ahead of starting your internship are below, but you can view more courses through our LinkedIn Learning web page
How to make the most from your temporary work placement
Overall course, duration: 30 minutes
A very useful UK oriented course ideal for those undertaking internships or work experience. The course is led by an experienced recruiter.
What you’ll learn: how to make a good first impression on managers and colleagues, how to work well with colleagues, identifying and connecting with colleagues as part of your network.
Building Self Confidence
Soft Skills. Overall course, duration: 20 minutes
A lack of confidence can lead to you missing out on opportunities. It’s easy to see others and think they’re naturally confident. Self-confidence is self-perpetuating – once you have it you can increase in confidence from one situation to the next. You can learn how to be more confident!
What you’ll learn: how to own the situation, embrace your imperfections, sustain confidence, maintain a positive perspective.
Listening Skills
Soft Skills. Overall course, duration: 65 minutes
True listening can help you understand the needs of others. It's a skill you can learn and apply in all aspects of life. It's also important to be able to demonstrate and "sell" those listening skills in a recruitment process.
What you’ll learn: understand attentive listening, explore what happened when you are distracted by delivery, implement mental filter, learn paraphrasing techniques, identify five listening intentions.
Getting things done
Soft Skills. Overall course, duration: 30 minutes
Managing your time is as important at University as it is in the workplace. This course can help manage your time effectively, prioritise and focus on what is important.
What you’ll learn: how to stay on top of your work, finding time to do meaningful activity, tips on how to prioritise and engage with tasks, how to have a clear head and focus.
Job Skills - Learning the Basics
Soft Skills. Overall course, duration: 20 minutes
This short course is ideal if you are going on placement or doing an internship. It gives an overview of key skills for you to think about and develop. It's a basic course but often there are more in-depth courses for those who wish to explore further.
What you’ll learn: teamwork, effective communication skills, customer service, being punctual, setting goals.
Succeeding in a new job
Soft Skills. Overall course, duration: 30 minutes
There is some overlap with the 90 days course, but you'll learn how to be a good, reliable employee and how to manage your mindset. There is a nice section on finding mentors. A few UK organisations would provide mentoring for new staff, many don't so you have to find and develop your own.
What you’ll learn: planning for a new job, establishing expectations for a new role, being a reliable employee, measuring performance success, finding mentors, bonding with new teammates, keeping a beginner's mind.
Explore the rest of our recommended LinkedIn Learning courses.
Extra resources
6 ways to make the most of your remote internship (article)
Creative ways to make connections during your virtual internship (article)
The student remote worker survival checklist (University blog)
Careers 24/7 (online portal full of careers support and resources)
View our central events programme and access further support.