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SIWES: Intern students narrate experiences

SIWES: Intern students narrate experiences

By Evelyn Ejibunu & Olaoluwa Omolafe
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As the 2019/2020 Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) practically wound down in various business organisations, student on interns from various higher institutions have been leaping for joy for completing their mandatory industrial training.

SIWES, is a compulsory Skills Training Programme designed to expose and prepare students of Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and other higher institutions to the industrial work situation they are likely to confront after graduation.

The scheme affords students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the needed experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their institutions.

Introduced in 1993, it was birthed majorly to acquaint students with the skills of handling employer’s equipment and machinery. It focusses on giving students opportunity to blend theoretic knowledge acquired in the classroom with practical hands-on application of knowledge, exposes students to working environment of their disciplines, prepares students to contribute to the productivity of their employers and national development after graduation amongst others.

While many students see this scheme as an opportunity to gain knowledge and lay a solid foundation for the future, some see the scheme as an opportunity to go into business, making money in whatever means for themselves.

To interest you, the duration of this scheme differs according to institutions involved. Some allow their students to get involved in the programme for six weeks, some for two months, some are three months, some six months while some spend a year.

It is of no doubt that several students have been striving successfully in their places of attachment while some are on the negative sides. Some have been commended based on their selfless services at their place of attachment.

To get first hand on their experience, The Hope spoke with some of the students who had their internship with the newspaper.

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One of them, Ordia Comfort, a Mass Communication student from Auchi Polytechnic described Internship as an organised programme in which a student not only study the theoretical part of the course but also do the practical aspect. That’s why it’s been arranged in such a way that students go through the practical part to see what they were taught, so as to have a first-hand handling of equipment.

According to her, SIWES helps students to enhance their knowledge practically

On challenges encountered during the programme, she said “I faced so many challenges in the sense that after writing an article, it may take a longer period before it is published. Even after publication, I would still be questioned on what I have written in order to be sure that I authored it. Another challenge is writing stories which are not published.

“There are times I felt happy during the programme while there are times I felt bad. I felt bad because atimes, I woke up early in the morning and there will be no transport fare to go to work. The good part is that everybody relates with me as their co-worker. There was no form of discrimination, the staff there are friendly and ready to improve your knowledge on the job.”

While advising students who are also interns or incoming interns, she said, “I will advise them to go for the programme when it is time, for it will be better and wise to see and experience what journalism entails.

“They should familiarise themselves with the practical aspect of their discipline because it is not all that lecturers  will explain in schools. It is  when the students are on internship that they will ask questions and have answers to such questions.

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Also, Ejibunu Philip Sanmi, a Geography student from Adekunle Ajasin University, who observed the scheme at Ministry of Works, Akure, said the most important element of internship is that they integrated classroom knowledge and theory with practical application and skills developed in professional or community settings. They also bring a wealth of benefits to students, both while completing a degree and when seeking a career path post graduation.

He said the industry has provided him with insider knowledge into the inner workings of the ministry, as well as, the industry as a whole while allowing him to generate more ideas.

According to him, “Those connections that you create when you are learning have endless effects for you later on when you graduate and beyond”.

“These people that you have worked with will be able to put in a good word for you when looking for a job.”

Sanmi said “Internship connects the knowledge acquired in the classroom with real life applications. There is a big difference between learning the information needed to be successful in the future and actually applying it.

“Internship is the common ground that helps students get a head start on their future while building a resume. It gives students an idea of what a job in their selected major would look like, while providing valuable ‘real world’ experience.

“Through internship, students are able to observe how a professional workspace operates. In addition, internship often leads directly to job positions and even if a student is not offered a job, the networking opportunities are worth it in itself.”

Spending six months as an intern, Sanmi shared his experiences in the organisation. He said, “I have learned so many valuable professional and life lessons that will continue to help me in the future.

Adewale Adeyemi, an Agricultural Extension and Communication student from the Federal University of Technology, Akure, who did his SIWES programme at Afe Babalola University,  described SIWES as an official program offered by an employer to potential employees. Internship is most popular with undergraduate students who work between one to six months and have a goal to gain practical works and research related experience of what have been taught in the class.

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“Internship has assisted me with career development through the provision of real work experiences that provided me with opportunities to explore my interests and develop professional skills and competencies.

During my internship programme, I spent six months altogether. As an intern then, I faced so many challenges. I had a challenge of distance because the establishment is far from where I stayed, I have to bear everyday transport fare because I have to get to work in the morning and we were not being paid, we had to beg for free ride most time.”

Adding to this, he said, “there is nothing more comfortable than you staying alone, I had so many challenges with the person I stayed with also. The place I did my internship program is a nice place, well equipped.

“Aside the challenges I faced, I really enjoyed my internship programme, I learnt many things from different departments and I got to see different kinds of machines on the farm.

Finally, he advised students not to be discouraged for not being paid, stressing that not all establishments will compensate your efforts, but just make sure you acquire knowledge that will work for you in future. Internship is fun only if you make it fun.

“To me, internship provides real world experience that enables you to put everything you’ve learned into action, it prepares you for the labour market. Internship has helped me gain skills that I can  apply to future jobs,” He added.

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SIWES: Intern students narrate experiences

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SIWES: Intern students narrate experiences

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