Authors: Tallo Interns | Editor: Arnell Turk
Think of your internship as more than just another bullet point on your resume. It’s your chance to bridge the gap between what you learn in class and what the real professional world looks like. You’re not just showing up and doing tasks; you’re actively turning every project, every chat, and every challenge into something truly valuable for your future career. By being proactive and taking time to think about what you’re learning, from soft skills to hard (technical) skills, you can make your internship a powerful launching pad for getting hired long-term.
Soft Skills: Your Edge in the Workplace
Author: Eron Butler | Photo: Unsplash
When entering an internship, many interns focus primarily on acquiring hard skills, like mastering Excel or coding. However, soft skills are equally, if not more, crucial. These are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities that dictate how effectively you work with others and navigate your environment. Unlike technical hard skills, soft skills center on how you interact, communicate, and manage relationships. A Stanford Research Center study highlighted this importance, revealing that 85% of job success stems from well-developed soft and people skills, with only 15% attributed to technical skills.
Utilizing soft skills teaches you to work with real people, fostering kindness and clear communication when seeking understanding. These skills build confidence, making you reliable and enabling seamless teamwork. Soft skills are timeless and applicable in any workplace, both now and in the future. Ultimately, they empower you to lead, grow, and thrive in any professional setting.
Hard Skills: The Power of Technical Expertise
Author: Rithik Samanthula | Photo: Unsplash
Technical skills, often called hard skills, are the practical abilities acquired through dedicated practice and application. These can encompass a wide range of proficiencies, such as video editing, coding, or welding. Gaining hands-on experience, like creating digital media for various social platforms and adapting content for different audiences, is crucial for developing a keen eye for future work.
As a Product and Digital Content Intern at Tallo, I’ve had the chance to work on these skills by creating digital media content. I’ve learned how to adapt different content types for audiences and platforms. This process of editing and feedback helped me develop a taste for branding and visual storytelling. My advice would be to dive deep into the tools that your team is using and don’t be afraid to learn by doing. Every technical skill mastered not only strengthens a resume with compelling bullet points but also demonstrates a tangible ability to produce impactful work.
The Power of Reflecting on Your Internship
Author: Ammara Hussain | Photo: Unsplash
Reflecting on an internship means thoughtfully evaluating your experiences, skills gained, and areas for growth. This practice is vital for ongoing self-improvement and motivation, as it reveals how much progress you’ve made. As a Product and Digital Content Intern at Tallo for nearly a month, I’ve seen firsthand how reflection accelerates professional development. My role involves managing virtual community engagement, creating and filming content for Tallo’s social media pages, supporting campaigns, and collaborating with partner companies.
These tasks have sharpened my communication skills and enhanced my professional tone, especially in virtual settings. My advice to fellow interns is to embrace regular reflection and always write a summary of your internship and what you’ve gained — having this record is invaluable for both personal and career growth and serves as a powerful reference for future opportunities.
What’s Next? Your Internship’s Full Potential
Author: Shederick Whipple | Photo: Unsplash
Internships aren’t just résumé builders — they’re launchpads. The skills and insights gained during an internship translate directly into future roles. Whether it’s mastering workplace communication, understanding team dynamics, or applying classroom theories to real tasks, that hands-on experience sticks, it teaches adaptability, problem-solving, and professionalism — traits employers value most. Internships also give clarity about career goals, helping students make informed choices about jobs or further education.
When it’s time to enter the workforce, former interns bring more than just enthusiasm — they bring proof they can handle real responsibilities. Even the connections made during internships can lead to job offers or long-term mentorships. In short, internships lay a practical foundation that sharpens judgment, boosts confidence, and sets the tone for career success.
