Volume 65 December 2026-January 2026 : Career Corner

Internship is an opportunity for one to test- drive a job or career path before they fully commit to it. An internship would be effective if undertaken during one`s undergraduate years.

This will give one enough time to see which career path best suits them.

Companies or businesses are encouraged to offer internship opportunities to undergraduates so they enhance their skills, confidence, and experience and build up references for their CV so they are ready for the working world after university or college.

BEFORE AN INTERNSHIP
• Every decision is based on a goal to be achieved, think hard and well why you want to do internship and what you want to achieve from the experience ie is it for the money, or for gaining experience or to gain or improve on your soft skills for personal growth. Set SMART goals…Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Timely goals. An example would be “I want to do unpaid internship at Company X`s marketing department for three months in order to gain experience and better prepare myself for the corporate world.”

•Do some research on the company that you would like to work or intern at. Remember the power of the Internet. You can get as much information as you require on the web. After being content with the choice of your company, contact them preferably the recruitment manager or hiring officer. Do also ask the people around you such as your family, friends, and teachers/ lectures if they can refer you to any company.

• Do some more reading on the current developments and trends in the industry you are in, be it accounting, finance or law.

DURING THE INTERNSHIP
• Time management is very important, show up on time and dress appropriately. You might not necessarily have to wear formal i.e. suit and tie but please do not wear mini skirts or come in flip-flops.

• Take the internship seriously; work as if you are one of the permanent employees, work diligently and be an innovative intern who strives for positive change. You might end up working for the company.

• Be very realistic about your expectations and be humble. Even if you are interning for a big financial institution as an accounting undergrad or graduate, be open to doing menial tasks such as photocopying, printing etc.

• Ask your colleagues if they have any career advice for you, ask them about their career path, what keeps them motivated, what is it that they like about their jobs etc. This will also give you motivation to reflect back on your career path and continuously manage your career expectations.

• Remember, a smile can take you far. Do everything with a smile and politeness. This will make you friendly and approachable especially if you are working in a customer service department. Besides no company will employ an intern who had a bad attitude.

• Continue learning; get as much exposure as possible. For example if you are interning at an accounting firm, talk to an auditor, a general accountant, a chartered accountant etc. so you get more informed on various career aspects. This will help you in decision-making especially if you are not sure what specific field to focus on in your career path.

• Do not hesitate to ask questions. Ask as many questions as you can, you are there to learn and do not be afraid and think that people will think you are stupid.

• Being proactive and taking the initiative will also make you stand out as a potential employer. If you have not been assigned any tasks take the initiative and ask your colleagues if they need help with anything, or even be polite and ask to make someone tea. You will always be remembered as enthusiastic and helpful.

• Ask your supervisor to give you feedback on your evaluation during your internship programme. Ask for advise on areas on concern where you can improve.

AFTER THE INTERNSHIP
• Make sure that you leave on good terms, as you do not want to jeopardies your chance of getting a job.

• Send a “Thank you” note to your supervisor and ask for a reference letter.

• Networking is one of the best ways to land a job or do business if you do decide to go through the entrepreneurship route, so keep in touch with your colleagues.

The Department of National Internship Programme is yet another great initiative run by the government to help give graduates an opportunity to gain experience and stand a better position in finding jobs as a way to curb youth unemployment.

However, this programme can only be effective if parents and companies also contribute further to the empowerment of the graduates especially financially.

The P2000 offered by the government is no way not enough to enable the graduates on the programme to live a better life as for instance housing, transport and food costs are high.

However, as a nation can we not be entirely dependent on the government for everything.

Parents and Companies also need to top up to what the government is already offering to enable graduates to participate and enjoy the program.

Absorbing interns for two years and not offering them permanent posts especially if they are worthy of the opportunity does not do justice to the goals that we want to achieve as a nation of working towards eliminating the unemployment rate amongst the youth.

Once again this goes back to say, as a nation lets help the government in this fight of lack of employment, and that companies take a firm stand by the youth by not exploiting the internship program and instead provide job opportunities for graduates on the program.

I asked some interns from Dūcere Foundation, an Australian foundation in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development how they feel about the internship programme.

Dūcere Foundation`s vision is to build passionate leaders, though its School Improvement Program in disadvantaged communities in Botswana, improving standard seven results in Mathematics, Science and English and motivating future leaders (standard 7 pupils) through its peace center programs that includes debating, advocacy, leadership, reading and anti-bullying.

Dūcere Foundation mentors are recent graduates on the Department of National Internship Programme who have degree majors in Mathematics, Science, English and Information Technology. 

One of the mentors had the following to say; “I am happy to inform you that I have found permanent post as an assistant computer programmer.

For my short time being on the National Internship Programme as an intern at Dūcere Foundation at Mahusane Primary School, I have learnt to work together with the staff towards the same goal of helping the students pass their examinations.

It has been great working with the students and I have developed a good relationship with them. I have seen them grow intellectually in the past months and I believe they will do their best in their final year examinations.

They are eager to learn and they have tremendously improved academically. 

As for now we have 50 per cent pass rate that is a huge difference from the last term mark. With all the hard work and revision the students will surely get better as the time goes by. I will try my best to come help them on Saturdays whenever possible.

Lastly I want to thank Dūcere Foundation as well as Mahusane Primary School for giving me the opportunity to work with the children.

With all that being said I appreciate the chance I was given and it will be long lived from this day forward. Thank you to the National Graduate Internship Program I have gained the necessary skills which landed me a job.”

Even though interns admit their financial struggles they acknowledge that they are motivated by the fact that they are positively contributing towards community development through building future leaders and that seeing the smiles on the students faces after seeing their marks improve encourages them to continue working on the internship programme.

As Mo Ibrahim has said at the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation Lecture on Leadership and Good Governance, on his recent visit to Botswana, “Africa is a rich continent.”

The youth have to get out of their comfort zone, loose the entitlement mentality, take calculated risks and create their own businesses. Lets encourage and support the emergence of Small Medium Enterprises, as this is another way we can curb youth unemployment in the country.

“No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you.”- Althea Gibson
 
Contact me at ccbotswana@gmail.com if you need help in career advising, CV writing or preparation for interviews. Ends

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