Studying business in Italy places you in a thriving international environment. You’ll get to meet other students from all over the world; learn from experienced instructors in small, intimate classes; and – if you’d like to gain additional hands-on experience – you could even secure an internship.
Rome is filled with plenty of internship opportunities for international students. Whether you’d like to apply to work at a multinational company or a local non-governmental organization (NGO), you’ll have no shortage of options to choose from. In fact, John Cabot University (JCU) is currently partnered with over 300 local organizations, and each year that number keeps on growing.
To apply for an internship through the JCU Career Services Center, you’ll need to have a minimum GPA of 2.7 and at least a sophomore standing. Competition for internships can be tough, but each year over 70% of students who obtain an interview are offered an internship.
How can you make the most of your internship once you’ve secured it? Here are our three internship success tips for business students interning in the Eternal City:
1. Maintain a Professional Demeanor Throughout Your Internship in Rome
Making a good first impression is important, but for true internship success, you’ll need to be professional from the beginning of your internship right to its end date. To do that, you’ll want to dress professionally, be punctual, and interact with your co-workers in a friendly and respectful manner.
While developing effective communication skills can be a challenging part of becoming career-ready, doing an internship in an international environment demands an additional level of communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Fortunately, that’s something that study abroad students often excel at. By learning in an international environment with students from all over the world, you’ll be more than ready to work with co-workers from different backgrounds.
2. Internships are an Extension of Studying Business in Italy
As you study business in Italy, you’ll experience a dynamic learning environment with a special emphasis on international strategic development. International business internships provide valuable opportunities to gain real-world experience in many of the topics discussed in class, taking your education to the next level. Interns are exposed to the unique business approaches used by Italian companies and may be able to explore concepts such as international trade, finance, marketing, and operations management directly on the job.
3. Ask for Feedback as You Complete Your Internship and Study Business in Italy
It can sometimes be intimidating for students to ask for feedback. They might be worried that they’ll only hear criticism. Or, they might think that if an employer points out areas with room for improvement, it means that they’re not doing well.
In truth, feedback is an important part of upgrading your skill-set. You might learn that you have excellent organizational skills, but that your communication skills could use a little extra work. Or that your employers loves when you take initiative on a project, but would like more exact information on when you plan on finishing it so that they can organize their schedules accordingly. By knowing your strengths and weaknesses, you can work on improving your skills as you complete your bachelor of arts in international business and get ready for your future career.
And, if you feel nervous about asking for feedback, just remember that you’re still a student, and that your internship is a learning opportunity meant to help you grow as a professional.
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