My interning journey started during the Covid period. I was home doing nothing and I saw the chance to learn something in my field during that period. I was in my first year in the university then and I had a friend working with a big government organization specializing in research. I spoke my friend and I got in. Honestly, interning there shaped me a lot when it came to my career path and choices. I got the chance to gain hands on experience with what I was leading in my field and nothing made me happier than that.
My school didn’t have enough facilities to help with the theoretical aspect of our course and this internship opportunity I had set me miles apart from my colleagues because I knew what was being spoken about in class even before it was even time for the practical aspect. But on the other side, we all know what interning means to some people. To most people with power, interns are just their little maids who they send around. I mean, I wouldn’t totally mind helping my boss around with a few stuff but you see those people who are like lower level workers, they’ll literally try to use you just because you’re an intern.
In Ghana, we have this joke where we say interns and those serving the nature after university are just people who go and buy food for their senior colleagues at work and honestly that’s the story of most of them. The good thing about my experience was that I had audacity and if anyone tried to turn me into a maid, I’d just tell them no. It’s best to stand your ground at the beginning before things start to get out of hand.
On the other end, there’s always the question about internet getting paid. Should interns get paid or receive stipends? My answer would be yes because I have been there and I understand how frustrating it can get sometimes. Being an intern in some organizations is just like being a full time employee. You work 9-5 everyday and even on weekends sometimes. You use your own money to get to and from work, your feeding and other expenses also are still on you. Someone will say that no one forced you to intern but let’s not always see things from that angle. For most people, interning is a choice but for most students here in Ghana, it’s a part of their university curriculum.
I was an intern for over 3 years at an organization and I wasn’t getting paid. Even though I learnt a lot from there, I also gave back a lot to them. That doesn’t mean I deserve to be paid, but something like a stipend to support me with my transportation and petty expenses would motivate me a lot. I was fortunate to have people who gave me stipends once in a while but not everyone gets that. Interns are also humans- in as much as they’re there to learn from you, think about where they are coming from and where they are headed. If you can support or motivate them in any way, please do. Even if it’s lunch, try and get it for them because I can bet you so many interns eat once a day just to be able to make it to work the next day.
I understand that not all companies have the means to provide stipends for interns whereas I know some companies that do give stipends. Either way, the goal should be to motivate these young ones and not let them feel all alone in this.
all images belong to me.
