Internship Reflection: Applying Skills to Management Principles

This report provides a comprehensive reflection on an internship experience, focusing on the skills and knowledge gained and their applicability in the real world. It begins with an introduction to management, including its functions and principles, as well as a brief overview of the internship itself. The core of the report details the skills acquired during the internship, such as people skills, time management, project management, conflict management, leadership skills, problem-solving, decision-making, interpersonal communication, and conceptual skills. Each skill is then linked to relevant management theories and ideas, demonstrating how practical experience complements theoretical knowledge. The report concludes by emphasizing the value of internships in career development and the practical application of learned skills in various professional contexts. The student has gained valuable insights, which allows for the application of management in the workplace.

REFLECTION ON
INTERNSHIP

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Internship reflection................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Internship is the learning or gaining practical experience as student or trainee in certain
organisation. It helps the person to gain further knowledge in their specific field like marketing,
human resources, finance, Information technology, operation sales etc. It is being gaining
practical knowledge from industries and organisation rather than having theoretical knowledge.
The report is all about my reflection about my internship, that what skills and knowledge I have
gained from my internship which can be applicable to real world. The report also includes brief
introduction about management and different functions, principles of management. With that it
also includes different skills I have gained from my internship and how those skills have been
applicable to different principles, function and ideas of management.
Internship reflection
Management is the process by which organisation co-ordinate different activities of
business in order to achieve desired goal and objectives. It also includes different factors of
production which includes man, machinery, money and material. According to the Peter Drucker
who is management guru said that management is the process of both innovation and marketing.
Hence, it is the process of interlocking different functions such as planning, organising,
directing, co-ordinating and controlling all the resources so that business can achieve its goal and
objectives (Arnold and Keiper, 2017). In management directors and managers are the person
who is liable to make the effective decision which is fruitful for both insiders and outsiders of
the organisation whereas employees are those who work on those objectives and strategies in
order to attain them. The size of management can range from one person to small organisations
to the numbers of manages and employees that is big companies or business. It is very essential
for every firm to have management in order to organise different activities of the venture and
good management is backbone of every firm. Management is the process of doing work and
make it done through others in order to achieve the objectives of venture. It is to be said that
management is both art and science. Where management of art is the way by which work can be
done effectively and effectively with the help of different skills or managers and employees.
Whereas management as science is the systematic way of applying different tool and techniques
by which organisation can work effectively and efficiently (Baldwin, 2016).
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Management is the set of principles which are related to the different management
activities or function such as planning, organising, directing, co-ordinating and controlling.
These all principles and function are applied to all the resources if organisation such as physical,
human, informational and financial so that people of company can achieve their personal and
organisational goals and objectives (Burmeister and Sen, 2017). It is also known as process of
problem solving and use of scare resources in order to work in co-ordinate way. This process
relates to the art of knowing what to do, when to do with that analysing the things that whether it
is done in the best and effective way. There are several activities which are involved in
management, that are as follows:
Planning: Planning is the process of deciding and determining future in present, as it is
known that future is uncertain as well as there are several risks that are associated in future
which are related to management activities. In order to reduce risk and maintaining the certainty,
managers and employees plan different activities that need to be undertaken in the future. It Is
deciding in advance that what to do, when to do, how to do and from whom to do? There are
different types of plans that are made which includes Aim, Objectives, Action plans, Task and
Activities (Cason and Mentor, 2016).
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Illustration 1: Planning chart
(Source: Activities Involved in the Managerial Process of a Business Enterprise, 2016)
Organising: Organising is the process of analysing and evaluating the different activities which
are need to be performed by the different people in the organisation. It is grouping the people,
assigning of different task and activities to the different groups, delegation of authority and
responsibilities and assigning different resources to the people so that work can be done in
effective and efficient way. Organising is the process which is related to the task, people,
resources and technology. In this stage organisation, organise their structure which is according
to the people and authorities assign to them (Coleridge, 2017). If there are large number of
people in the organisation, then the structure will be big and if there are less number of people in
the venture then the structure will be small. As per the authority, when organisation believe in
assigning responsibilities and authorities to the people then it is flat organization’s structures and
they do not delegate then it is tall organisation structure.
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Directing: It is the process of motivating, guiding and leading all the employees in the venture.
It is the procedure of using the authority given by top level management in order to motivate
people so that they can work in effective and efficient way (Gooding and Katz, 2016)
Controlling: It is the function of comparing actual performance with the standard performance
so that organisation can evaluate that all the activities are done in the effective and efficient way.
While comparison, venture can find that what are deviation, it is the difference between the
actual and standard performance. After that the firm use certain and specific measure and
strategies to fill that gap or reduce deviation.
Internship is the learning or gaining practical experience as student or trainee in certain
organisation. It done in order to gain some practical knowledge or experience so that individual
can satisfy its requirement for the certain qualification. It is the opportunities for the student who
are interested in gaining knowledge and experience in particular industries. An intern work for
the organisation for the fixed period of time let’s say it can be for 45 days, 3 months or
maximum 6 months. Some of the students do part-time internship, they work for the venture for
few days or for the hours per week. Internship is the opportunities given to the students to get
knowledge and experience in their desired fields. They learn that how their study has been
applied in the real world and in the corporate field. It helps the intern to build the valuable
experience that make them stronger person for the job after completion of their studies
(Hepworth, 2016).
I as an intern have learned different skills during my internship period which help me to
apply my skills in the different management theories and ideas. Internship have given me an
excellent way to try out certain things and activities for the certain career. In order to be placed
in my desired organisation, need to define my career path that where I need to work and in which
field I can enhance my learning and experience. When I went for internship, I came to know that
in which field I have interest and in which area I can be excellent. With the help of internship, I
can define my career goal and objectives. There are several tasks and activities which is need to
be done by the intern, as I was intern, several authorities and responsibilities have been given to
me which helps me to enhance management skills. With the help of internship, have developed
different skills of management which help me to relate that learning with the management
theories and ideas, that are as follows:
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People skills: From my internship, I have learned different people skills, by which I can
create effective relationship with the people in the college and work environment. I can express
my ideas and information openly and honestly. With that I employ listening techniques and to be
sensitive with the other's emotions and feelings. People have started responding me in positive
way and respect my values.
Time management: It is the skills which individual need to have in their daily life, there
are different activities which need to be managed according to the time given, I have learned that
how can I manage different activities on time and finish that operation within the deadline. In
order to manage I have started priorities different activities, I finish those activities first which
have the nearest deadline and after that finish those activities which are fewer priorities.
Project management: There are different skills need to be learn when the person is
handing project, I have learned project process skills which start from identifying the problem
till the solution of issue. Effective project management skills involve manufacturing, supply
chain, customer and employee relationship management and other process which helps me to
integrate all the activities of project.
Conflict management: Every individual has different culture, traditions, norms, ethics,
language and due to this misunderstanding arises which leads to conflict between people in the
organisation and college. With the help of internship, I have learned how to reduce conflict
between different people. There are different styles of reducing conflict, that are collaborating,
Accommodating, Avoiding, compromising, confrontation. Different style has been applied to
different situation in order to reduce or resolve conflict. In my internship, I have learned that
which style will be appropriate according to situation which help me to remove conflict in real
life.
Leadership skills: It is the ability to influence the behaviour of individual in the
organisation as well as customers. In my internship, I have learned how to guide, motivate, lead
people in work environment and in my college. It has served me an enthusiasm and positive
thinking that I can do every work and I have ability to guide and lead people (ZAINUDDIN and
Chu, 2017).
Problem solving skills: It is also known as design skills; a person should know what is
the problem and what are the different alternative to solve the problems. There are several
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problems in every one's life which need to be solves so that he or she can work effectively and
efficiently. With the help of internship, I have learned that how can I solve different problems in
my life and what alternative is effective for solving particular situation.
Decision making skills: Decision making is required in daily life of the people whether
he or she in college life or professional life. Selecting most appropriate alternative serves the
highest advantage and fewer disadvantages. It is very important for me to analyse the situation
internal and externally which helps me to choose the best option. With the help of internship, I
have learned how to make decision in effective and efficient way.
Interpersonal communication skills: It the most significant skills in the part of every
individual's life where he or she should know how he or she can communicate with the different
people. Effective communication builds effective relationship between different people. It is
very significant for me to communicate ideas and information to the person which helps to solve
different problems. Free flow of communication is an effective tool by which organisation can
solve their problems and achieve their objective. Internship helps me to have effective
communication skills and teach me how I can use different types of communication.
Conceptual skills: It is the ability to visualise the organisation as whole which includes
creative, analytical and initiative skills. In my internship, I have been given authority to find the
ways by which organisation can reduce their employee turnover, I have worked to find the cause
of employee turnover, for which I have made conversation to those employees who are not
satisfied with the firm. I came to know that organisation environment is the key reason for
employee turnover, I have given suggestion to the organisation that they should serve different
facilitates to employee where they feel comfortable while working. And this is how the rate of
employee turnover have reduced. With this situation I have learned analytical, communication
and decision-making skills which helps me in my daily life and college.
There are different principles of management which have been given by the Henri Fayol
and F. W. Taylor. In my internship, I have learned different skills which helps me to apply them
in different principles of management, principles are as follows:
F. W. Taylor principles
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Science, not rule of thumb: This principle state that person should not stick in their set
routine with the old techniques and technology for completing their work, rather than they
should start continuous experimenting in order to create new techniques which helps them to
work quicker, easier and simpler (Palmer and Scribner, 2017). When I was doing internship, I
have learned that I should be experimenting new things which helps me to solve different real-
world situation in effective and efficient way.
Harmony not discard: In this principle, Taylor have stated that organisation should
create positive atmosphere so that management and labour should understand each other
important in order to create cardinal relationship (Arnold and Keiper, 2017). He thinks that
Mental revolution is must which helps to reduce conflict between two parties. During my
internship, I have learned conflict resolution skills which helps to apply this principle in my real
life.
Co-operation not individualisation: This principle states that every individual should
work in group, they should not think for their interest rather they should have spirit of mutual
cooperation. He states that management and employees together make the decision and decide
standards. This have increased involvement and motivation between employees. The best
experience I have gained in the organisation during my internship that I have learned the
important of co-operation and implement this principle in my life.
Development of every person to his or her greatest prosperity and efficiency:
According to this principle each and every person efficiency should take care right from the
selection of the person where organisation should arrange training and development program for
the employees (Baldwin, 2016).
Henri Fayol principles
Division of work: This principle states that organisation should divide whole work into
different tasks and those tasks are being distributed among all members according to the skills
and ability of the worker rather than giving all the work to single person. From my internship, I
have learned that how I should divide and delegate responsibilities and work to different people.
Authority and responsibilities: This principle state that authority and responsibilities
should go together, top level management should give responsibilities when they are giving
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authorities to the person. This principle also state that managers should give authorities and
responsibilities to the middle level and lower level of employees so that they can be motivated
because they find themselves important for the organisation (Burmeister and Sen, 2017). From
my internship, I have learned that it is good sometimes to be decentralised which helps to
involve different people in my decision making.
Discipline: It is very significant aspect for the individual in order to get successful in
their every work. Discipline is considered as respect, obedience for all the authorities and
responsibilities. It can be made with the help of supervision at all the levels of life, where all the
rules and regulations should be followed in proper way. A manager can be good example for
discipline for the workers. As I was intern, I have learned discipline from my manager which
helps me to apply in my daily activities.
Unity of command and direction: This principle state that individual should be
commended and directed from only one superior. If there are many superiors which give orders
to one employee then he or she will not able to decide that which order should be given priority
and this situation will be confusing for the employee (Cason and Mentor, 2016). Other than that,
the person should be directed for one goal only. This state that there should be one plan or
objective in which all the activities are grouped.
I have learned several management principles, activities, functions from my internship. It
helps me to develop different skills and abilities to which I can relate them to different
management principles and ideas. It helps me lot to handle different problems and remove
barriers from my life and career (14 Fundamental Principles of Management Formulated by
Henry Fayol, 2016).
CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the project report that internship helped me to learn different
skills such as Time management, People management skills, Project management, Conflict
management, Leadership skills, Problem solving skills, Decision making skills, Interpersonal
communication skill, Conceptual skills etc. The all skills helped me to apply my internship
learning and experience to the different management principles, function and ideas. Internship
helped me to learn real world experience and knowledge in order to enhance different
management and organisational skills.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Arnold, T. P. and Keiper, R. R., 2017. Developing Curricula at a Community College to Address
the Expectations of Internship Mentors at a Research University.
Baldwin, M., 2016. Social work, critical reflection and the learning organization. Routledge.
Burmeister, M. and Sen, S., 2017. Replicating Internship Stress-Induced Depression In China.
European Neuropsychopharmacology, 27, p. S363.
Cason, K. and Mentor, E. I., 2016. EJSCREEN Community Summary for the Montrose-Del
Amo Superfund Sites.
Coleridge, S. T., 2017. The Collected Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Volume 9: Aids to
Reflection. Princeton University Press.
Gooding, H. C. and Katz, J. T., 2016. Fostering Humanism in Medicine through Art and
Reflection. Journal of Museum Education, 41(2), pp.123-130.
Hepworth, M., 2016. Research 1 Course (R1): Day Three: Session 19 PowerPoint Presentation:
Wrap up & reflection.
Palmer, P. J. and Scribner, M., 2017. The courage to teach guide for reflection and renewal.
John Wiley & Sons.
Reynolds, M., 2017. Organizing reflection. Routledge.
Stige, B., 2017. Where music helps: Community music therapy in action and reflection.
Routledge.
ZAINUDDIN, Z. and Chu, S. K. W., 2017. Exploring the impact of Social Media on Students’
Internship Programs: A Comparative Study of Facebook and Schoology. In CITE
Research Symposium 2017, The University of Hong Kong. Hong Kong.
Online
14 Fundamental Principles of Management Formulated by Henry Fayol, 2016.
[Online]Available through:<http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/management/14-
fundamental-principles-of-management-formulated-by-henry-fayol/879/> [Accessed on
6th October 2017]
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