Career skills, practical experience, and professional network contacts are all things you can expect to gain from an internship. However, internships can occasionally come with stress, burnout, anxiety, and imposter syndrome as well. Internships abroad can bring even more strains on mental health while traveling too. That’s why knowing how to take care of mental health during an internship is so important.
Whilst the priority of any internship is advancing your career, for many, an internship is a chance to push themselves outside their comfort zone, and try something new—it might be their first experience of the world of work. This is where another, hugely beneficial, utility of internships comes in. They’re a fantastic opportunity to establish strategies for self care while interning, ensuring you come out stronger and more prepared for your professional journey.
In this blog, we’ll offer some tips on taking care of mental health while interning, as well as how to deal with mental health issues while traveling, giving you the tools you need to maintain your mental wellness as an intern.
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health During an Internship
1. Manage Time in Your Work Day Effectively
A big part of how to take care of mental health during an internship is managing your time effectively.
This starts by managing time for the internship itself and making sure your work days include regular breaks. Whether it’s a five-minute stretch or a short walk outside, these moments of rest can significantly boost your productivity and mental clarity. Planning tasks and breaks in advance to maintain a balanced workload will make your day feel more manageable and provide a sense of control.
Another important part of this is not taking your work home with you and ensuring you have time to unwind at the end of each day. It can be tempting to use your downtime to get ahead with work, it also leaves you vulnerable to burnout.
2. Establish a Daily Routine Outside of Work
Once you have your work routine in place, it’s a good idea to plan time outside of work hours to manage self care while interning. Making a daily routine and sticking to it is one of the best ways to maintain structure and stability during stressful periods and maintain mental wellness as an intern.
This could be establishing a morning routine, keeping a proper sleep schedule, or making time in the evening for activities you enjoy like reading, meditating, or exercising. A well-rounded routine is crucial for balancing work commitments and personal time, ensuring you don’t feel overwhelmed and avoid burnout.
3. Keep In Touch with Friends and Family
Maintaining a strong support network and keeping your loved ones close is vital for taking care of mental health while interning, and especially taking care of mental health while traveling abroad for an internship.
Regularly communicate with friends and family to share your experiences, seek advice, or simply unwind. These interactions can provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, which can be incredibly comforting during stressful periods.
4. Stay Active and Eat Healthy
The best ways to take care of mental health during an internship are the same ways to take care of mental health at any other time.
Physical activity and a balanced diet are powerful tools for improving mental health. Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a gym session, or a yoga class, find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your routine.
Alongside staying active, eating a balanced diet is essential. Nutritious food fuels your body and mind, helping you stay focused and energized. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, as they can lead to energy crashes and negatively impact your mood. Staying hydrated is equally important and can prevent fatigue and improve concentration.
4. Workplace Confidence
Confidence in the workplace makes a world of difference, especially in the early stages of a career. If, like many, your internship is your first encounter with the world of work, this is probably one of the main skills you hope to gain from an internship.
As you tackle new challenges and navigate unfamiliar situations during your internship, you’ll gradually build confidence, not just in your skills and strengths but also in your ability to face the unknown and overcome challenges.
This self-assurance will empower you to perform at the top of your game wherever your career leads you. Confidence is a key indicator for future professional success, and mastering it during your internship sets the stage for future achievements in your career.
5. Professionalism
What do internships teach you? How to act in the workplace.
Professionalism encompasses a range of attributes, from punctuality and reliability to integrity and accountability, but it can best be understood as appropriate professional conduct.
Employers place a high premium on professionalism and traits around work ethic, so these are valuable skills to develop in an internship.
6. Communication
Effective communication is a cornerstone of success in your career and most other parts of your life too. The practice of prompt, professional communication is one of the best skills gained from internship experiences.
Internships present fantastic opportunities to develop your communication skills, whether through written correspondence or collaborative discussions. So, whether your weak spot is public speaking or keeping on top of emails, an internship is the time to overcome it.
Strong communication skills enable you to articulate your ideas persuasively, collaborate effectively, and build rapport with clients and stakeholders — all of which are essential for career advancement regardless of your chosen field.
7. Time management
Time management is one of the internship skills that most directly impacts productivity and performance in the workplace.
Internships provide a testing ground for you to work on your time management. Part of the importance of internships lies in the strengths you’ll develop as you juggle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritize responsibilities.
Punctuality and promptness are valuable skills to gain from an internship, not only because they boost your efficiency and effectiveness. More than this, they demonstrate your ability to handle pressure and deliver results — internship skills that are highly valued by employers.
8. Networking skills
What does an internship do for you? It puts you in the room with industry professionals and gives you a reason to introduce yourself. This is one of the best networking opportunities you can have; be sure to seize it.
It’s important to know that the benefit of these opportunities extends beyond the actual contacts made during your internship. These opportunities are a chance to practice and develop your networking skills, which are some of the most valuable skills to develop from an internship.
One of the most common key internship takeaways from our interns is how the networking skills gained from an internship are a huge part of the importance of an internship.
9. Social Consciousness
Why do nonprofit internships? Social consciousness is becoming increasingly important in the business world, with companies placing greater emphasis on corporate social responsibility and sustainability.
Nonprofit internships offer opportunities to make an impact on meaningful causes. Demonstrating a commitment to social consciousness during your internship not only aligns you with socially responsible organizations but also showcases your values, ethics, and drive to make a difference in the world.
The Importance of an Internship?
Now that you can answer, ‘What do internships teach you?’, you’re better equipped to pick the skills you hope to gain from an internship. Truthfully, the importance of an internship extends well beyond the internship skills gained. There’s so much more than skills to gain from an internship.
- Practical Experience: Hands-on experience in a work environment is your chance to apply your education and knowledge to real-world situations. This not only enhances your understanding of your field but also builds your confidence to tackle new challenges.
- Career Exploration and Networking: Internships offer a unique opportunity to explore different industries and roles. Additionally, they let you connect with professionals in your field and expand your professional network, which can lead to future job opportunities.
- Resume Building: An internship is a fantastic addition to your resume. It showcases practical experience, work ethic, and commitment to career path. So, be sure you know how to add an internship to your resume.
Where to Intern with Roots?
Once you’ve picked the skills you hope to gain from an internship, you’re going to need to pick where to intern. This can be a challenge in itself. With Roots, you can explore internship opportunities across the globe.
1. Peru
Whether you’re exploring ancient ruins, learning about indigenous cultures, or contributing to sustainable development projects, interning in Peru promises a lot more than just internship skills.
This Latin American gem is a dream destination for many travelers, and a nonprofit internship is the best way to see all this country has to offer. With our programs in Peru, you can gain medical experience in rural villages, support vulnerable youth facing disabilities, or conduct biology research in the rainforest.
2. Cambodia
Cambodia is one of the places where. From volunteering with local communities to exploring ancient temples and lush landscapes, the importance of an internship serves not only the intern but also the community they serve. Cambodia’s striking and important history and welcoming culture make it an ideal destination for an impactful meaningful internship.
Here, you could teach children computer literacy while offering nonprofit technical support or use your marketing skills to raise awareness for impoverished children in Siem Reap.
3. Portugal
Immerse yourself in rich history, culture, and innovative sustainability projects in Portugal while picking up all the usual skills to gain from an internship. This country of unique natural beauty is also home to a number of innovative, exciting conservation projects and wildlife care internship opportunities.
With veterinary internships, fundraising internship for animal welfare, and reforestation internships, if you’re an animal lover or nature enthusiast, consider interning in Portugal.
4. South Africa
What do internships teach you? In South Africa, they can teach you so many things. The Rainbow Nation is your gateway to an important social history, diverse cultures, and an abundance of skills gained from internships.
South Africa is our base of operations, so our network here is extensive. We have internship programs ranging from marine science research to refugee research to female empowerment to law. Take your pick from an abundance of opportunities with nonprofit internships in South Africa.
Have a Great Internship Experience through Self-Care!
Taking care of mental health while interning is essential for enjoying and making the most of your internship experience. By following these tips and utilizing the support available, you can maintain your well-being and make the most out of your internship. Remember, mental health is just as important as your professional growth.
Learning how to take care of mental health during an internship will not only enhance your experience but also equip you with valuable skills for your future career. If you’d like to learn more, get in touch with our team to talk through opportunities and how we can support your self care while interning.
This blog was written by Tom Rusbridge.
