Applying Knowledge in the Real World
Blogs 1 and 2 were about researching your interests while holidaying, and researching the industry of interest to you and discovering online courses. If you have not read those two blogs, I suggest you read those two first as background to this blog.
Once you have discovered where your interest in a field of study lies, and have looked at industry opportunities, challenges, trends, and online courses, it’s time to apply your knowledge in the real world. In other words, how can you apply your knowledge in a commercial setting.
Applying your knowledge in a commercial setting can generally be done in three ways, namely through internships, part-time jobs or volunteer work.
Credit: Firstfruits
An internship is a way of getting to know the industry while being taught and being paid for it. Generally, it is acknowledged that you are there to learn and mistakes are accepted. An internship is usually a full-time position for a fixed period, i.e. 6 months or a year.
Part-time jobs, as the name implies, involve working fewer hours than a full-time position. While you may receive on-the-job training, you are generally expected to have more knowledge and skills than an intern. Part-time work is compensated.
Volunteer work is undertaken voluntarily, often to help others or to gain experience. This type of work can be either paid or unpaid.
All three types of work provide practical experience, which is invaluable. You can list this experience on your CV, enhancing your credentials. Additionally, practical experience teaches you many lessons and gives you firsthand exposure to the industry, offering insights you might not otherwise gain.
Another reason practical experience is so important is because it allows you to connect with professionals from your industry – in other words, it allows you to start building your network.
Credit: Duke University
Here are some top tips for networking:
- Show a genuine interest in the person you are speaking to.
- Introduce yourself and try to initiate a conversation.
- Ask the other person about their job such as, whether their job is what they always wanted to do, do they like their job, favourite and least favourite parts of their job.
- Be yourself.
After your conversation, send the person a LinkedIn invitation to connect with them
Connecting with people from your industry is vital. Someone from your industry may remember you when a company is recruiting, or someone you know well can provide a character reference for you. In addition, people in your circle carry a wealth of information that you can be exposed to. Besides, lasting business relationships and even friendships may arise from making effort when connecting with people.
Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” If we take a step towards our goals by applying our practical knowledge in a commercial setting, we will eventually hit our target. The main obstacle to overcome is just to start.
Let’s take proactive steps towards our goals by applying our knowledge in commercial settings, whether through internships, voluntary work, or part-time jobs. Remember to network extensively and build a professional circle around us. Let’s keep in mind the essential rules of networking as we move forward.
Compiled by Tanja Werle