By, Sabrina Mohd Noor
GOMBAK, 9 January 2025: The Department of Communication (COMM 4995 students, Section 1) organized an insightful forum titled, “Internship Insights: Preparing for the Professional World” at IIUM, on 3 January 2025.
The forum was a golden opportunity for students to learn directly from professionals about how to excel during internships and beyond. By bringing together industry experts and experienced professionals, the forum aims in providing practical guidance such as meeting workplace expectations, navigate challenges in internships and educate students about employment rights to empower students to step into the professional world with clarity, competence and proactive mindset.
The forum featured by three internship experts panelists: Ms. Sharifah Hani Yasmin Syed Abdullah, a CV reviewer and recruiter from A Job Thing, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khalilah Zakariya, Deputy Director of the Office Of Industrial Link (IIUM), and Ms. Sarah Aziz an HR consultant, specializing in employment law and industrial relations at HR edge.
Below were the advice that each panelist gave:
1. Stay Strong and Stay Committed-Ms. Sharifah Hani Yasmin Syed Abdullah
Ms. Sharifah emphasized the importance of standing out during internship from the very beginning. However, she reminded the participants that excel does not mean perfection. “Internships are a learning process. You will face challenges and disappointments, but no one is expected to excel right away,” she reassured.
Preparation is the key, and Ms. Sharifah advised candidates to do thorough research about the company, industry, and job scope before starting the internship, “Set your goals, whether it is completing task, learning new skills, or contributing to the team, treat the experience as a stepping stone, not just means to an end”.
2. Know Your Rights as an Employee- Ms. Sarah Aziz
Ms. Sarah Aziz, an HR Consultant , stressed the importance of knowing employment rights to avoid being exploited. She highlighted the key aspect of Malaysian labour laws, including minimum annual leave of 8 days, 14 days of medical leave, and 60 days of hospitalization leave. She also highlighted the mandatory of contribution to EPF and SOCSO.
“Be smart about your rights as an employee, Don’t let people take advantage of you,” Ms. Sarah advised. She said that participants should understand the legal framework protecting the rights of interns and employees.
3. Mindful Use of Resources and Social Media-Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khalilah Zakariya
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khalilah underscored the importance of gathering accurate information and using reliable sources. “Avoid depending too much on AI because it can lead to plagiarism, instead apply human intelligence to make your work authentic and valuable.”
She also cautioned against careless use of social media. Sharing an example of a lawsuit stemming from an employee’s controversial tweets, she emphasized, “Know where and how to express yourself. Wisdom is key.”
With sponsorship from Zus Coffee, the forum successfully equipped students with tools to excel in their internships and future careers. Events like these, underscore the commitment of IIUM in fostering students development and preparing them for real-world challenges.***
