Internships “attachments” are a pivotal experience for students, providing them with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, overcome challenges, and gain invaluable skills. In this blog, we spotlight the internship journeys of four remarkable students: Angeline, Zakayo, Beatrice, and Maureen. Through their stories, we explore the highs and lows of their internships, shedding light on how these experiences have shaped their career aspirations and personal growth.
Angeline’s Journey: Embracing New Teaching Methods
Meet Angeline, a focused third-year student from Multimedia University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. Currently on, she says one of her most memorable moments was discovering and implementing new teaching methods to enhance student learning. “I was able to increase my confidence by communicating and teaching students,” she says. However, Angeline also faced challenges, particularly in adapting to rapid technological changes and meeting high expectations from her supervisor and students. She overcame these hurdles by continuously learning from online sources.
She also had to learn how to use Excel. “I mastered formulas like VLOOKUP, which I will use to manage and analyze large data sets,” she explains. Her supervisor encouraged her to pursue peer learning and provided online Excel tutorials, fostering a collaborative learning environment.
“My advice to those on attachment is to embrace challenges and not be afraid of making mistakes. Instead, learn from them and use the experience to develop your skills,” Angeline adds.
Zakayo’s journey: Hands-On Learning in Electrical Engineering
Zakayo, an engineering student at Multimedia University, recently had an eye-opening experience with electrical installations during his attachment. This practical session marked a turning point in his learning journey. “Working on electrical installations on my own made the difference between theory and practice clear,” he says.
The challenge of installing electrical wires, and ensuring they were comprehensively designed, tested his skills and patience. This experience taught him valuable lessons crucial for his career development: patience, attention to detail, creative thinking, and problem-solving.
His projects were team efforts involving 13 classmates. “Our unity and teamwork made our execution of tasks faster and more efficient, significantly enhancing our capabilities and deepening our knowledge in electrical engineering,” Zakayo reflects. “This hands-on experience has not only improved my practical skills but also instilled a deeper appreciation for teamwork and perseverance. I look forward to applying these lessons in my future career,” he says.
Beatrice’s Internship: Learning and Overcoming Challenges
Meet Beatrice, a passionate second-year student from Kenyatta University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (Science), specifically Biology and Chemistry.
“I remember when I started my internship, I was welcomed very well by my colleagues, which made me feel at home,” Beatrice recalls. Her internship taught her essential skills like time and class management. Despite the warm welcome, Beatrice faced challenges, including ensuring students maintained their previous academic performance and finishing the syllabus on time. With the help of her colleagues, she managed to overcome these obstacles.
“I was able to evaluate my students with different abilities and ensure all got a chance to participate in class,” she shares. Beatrice also worked with the Kenya Secondary Christian Fellowship (KCSF) and organized a weekend challenge rally as a Christian Union assistant patron in the school. She proudly participated in the music festival, taking students to the regional level.
“I encourage all those about to go for their internship to face challenges courageously, respond positively, and not let challenges bring them down,” she advises.
Maureen’s Insight: Navigating the World of Criminology
Meet Maureen, a passionate third-year student from Chuka University pursuing Criminology and Security Studies.
“The most memorable moment was interacting with different people and students from various cultures and statuses, which improved my interaction skills,” Maureen says. Her attachment made her more flexible and open-minded, especially regarding police work and maintaining law and order.
One of the challenges she encountered was tribalism and gender insensitivity among her colleagues. She embraced these challenges positively, using them as motivation to keep moving forward and fit in while appreciating other tribes’ presence.
During her internship, Maureen learned how the criminal justice system works in Kenya, including filing cases, communal service sentences, juvenile justice, and prosecuting suspects. She acquired mentoring, multitasking, communication, and leadership skills that will assist her in her future career.
Her most challenging encounter was accompanying crime officers to a homicide scene involving a pregnant woman who killed her husband. “My supervisor is professional. He walks with me every step, assigns me tasks, and makes follow-ups to ensure I am doing my best,” Maureen adds.
Maureen’s internship has profoundly shaped her future, equipping her with essential skills and resilience. The experience not only deepened her understanding of the criminal justice system but also strengthened her ability to handle complex situations with professionalism and empathy, setting a solid foundation for her future career in criminology.