Executive Summary

This report is a summary of a three-month internship carried out at MTA TXL from the 18th of May to the 17th of August 2016. The main purpose behind this industrial placement was to fulfill the Higher National Diploma (HND) requirement in order to pass the examination and try to merge theory and practice.

The intern had specific objectives; to better understand how serviced based organisations carryout marketing activities and closely appreciate business practices from professionals. The intern found the business environment to be educative as well as dynamic.

Educative because of the experience and skills gained while comparing the similarities between what was taught in the classroom and what happens in the field. Dynamic because things are always changing.

Hence a company like MTA TXL has to try and stay relevant through continuous improved service offerings and communication. The intern was focused on understanding and comparing the logistics components and distribution cycle at MTA TXL.

Also, he found out that most organisations like MTA TXL become complacent, neglecting the importance of; efficient marketing activities and employees. Evidence of this is MTA TXL providing print media in French to Anglophone markets and not properly compensating/motivating employees.

The intern recommended better evaluation and control of marketing efforts and improved compensation/motivation for employees to guarantee an effective customer service cycle. At the end of the internship the intern; learnt to better manage time, improved interpersonal skills and developed management skills.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND TO INTERNSHIP

1.1 History of internship

E-commerce has become a fast-growing industry due to the emergence and growth of the internet and technology. And this has led to the rise of transport and logistics firms which ensure the secure transport of merchandise from one party to another alongside other services they perform like online tracking and home deliveries.

The intern sought to understand how service-based organisations function and carry out marketing activities. An internship refers to a period of work experience offered by an organisation for a limited period, during which a beginner acquires experience or profession.

Once a term confined to medical graduates, the term is now used for a wide range of placements within businesses, nonprofit organisations and government agencies. For students in particular, an internship enables them gain relevant skills and experience in a particular field and an opportunity to get actively involved in a professional work environment in order to have firsthand knowledge of the work environment.

Typically, an internship consists of an exchange of services for experience between interns and organisations. An internship can be paid or unpaid. An internship is very vital because it provides students and apprentices the opportunity to participate in the working environment and benefit from hands on learning and prepare them for a full-time job following graduation.

1.2 Characteristics Of A Formal Internship

There are a few features of a formal internship, they include;

• An internship program should have a support program throughout the organisation and a consistent, positive message throughout the intern’s experience.
• Everyone in the organisation has an effect on an intern’s experience and impression of the organisation. It is important that any and every one involved in the program supports the purpose and structure of the internship program.
• An organisation should have an effective program design well-structured from its foundation to orientate, teach and improve the skills of each intern.
• A consistent and positive message should be delivered to interns throughout their experience with the organisation. This starts with and is ensured by proper orientation of the intern and the manager or individual in charge of mentoring interns.

1.3 Merits And Demerits Of Internship

Internship has a few merits as well as demerits. The merits include;

Merits

Get Real Work Experience

The biggest benefit of internships is that they offer a safe space for students and graduates to gain work experience. This is important because most employers are reluctant to hire someone who has never worked before; they think that with no experience, you will probably be unreliable and not know what to do or how to work. This creates a vicious circle with no way out, which is why a lot of graduates end up in completely unrelated fields.

Internships can be a great solution to this problem as they allow students and graduates to experience a real workplace. Apart from the vocational skills that interns gain, they also acquire soft skills crucial to not only finding a job but succeeding at one as well.

Get a Taste of Chosen Field

Choosing your career happens at a very young age, and most of us are not certain what we want to do with the rest of our lives. Many people find themselves going from school to university and then into the workforce before realising that their degree and career are not what they expected them to be.

One of the greatest advantages of internships is that they allow people to experience their industry and chosen profession. This usually has one of two effects – makes people more excited and drives them to work hard and build a successful career, or they realise it’s not the right career for them.

Start Networking

Careeraddict.com emphasises on the importance of networking. In their experience, it is one of the most powerful tools in a jobseeker’s arsenal. Nothing is as effective at increasing your employment opportunities as knowing (and having impressed) the right people.

Internships offer you a fantastic opportunity to impress the people that matter. But to do that, you will have to be knowledgeable about your subject, eager to work hard and learn more. The key is to overcome the shyness that is so common amongst interns and learn how to extend your hand and introduce yourself effectively. These networking tips will help.

Helps intern Choose a Specialty

An internship can help you identify a particular area in your industry or career path in which you are interested in and help you acquire more knowledge regarding this area.

Of course, there is a good chance you will realise that you have no interest in the particular field that the company you’re interning with operates, but that’s an important lesson to learn. It helps you realise what you need to avoid and gain skills which can then be transferred to a field you do enjoy.

Helps intern Become More Self-Confident

If you are an introvert, this might resonate with you because you probably have a hard time talking about your skills, especially in job interviews. Introverts tend to be more self-conscious which makes them more reluctant to speak about their potential. Having gained some real world experience can help you better understand your value and what you can bring to the table. Sometimes the biggest benefit of an internship is that it helps you realise your abilities.

Even if you are not an introvert, you will still benefit from experiencing a real workplace. It will help you learn more about yourself as a professional, and be more prepared to make decisions, take the initiative and risks; qualities that employers love.

Boosts intern’s CV

Internships can also benefit your CV as they are a foolproof way to demonstrate that you have work experience, as well as other workplace skills. The skills can be relevant to your chosen profession, which is admittedly crucial in a CV, but they could also be other skills, including communication and people skills that employer’s value.

To maximize your skill-learning potential, you need to keep an internship diary. An internship diary allows you to document your experiences in the workplace every day. By the end of the internship you’ll have documented every skill you gained, and you’ll also be able to demonstrate how you gained each skill. This can help you include these skills in your CV, and also share your experiences during an interview.