Celebrating Our Positive Impact: ACS Professional Year in IT
Boost your tech career with an industry internship
An internship is one of the most exciting, and sometimes most nerve-wracking, parts of the ACS Professional Year in IT. In a recent webinar hosted by PY graduate Ike Zhang, we shared plenty of practical tips, honest reflections and an array of “I wish I’d known this earlier” insights. Here are ten key takeaways from Ike’s session to help you make the most of your own internship journey.
Treat your PY like your first real job
PY is more than a course. It’s a stepping-stone into the tech industry. Approach it with the same professionalism, punctuality and mindset you’d bring to a full-time role.
Build relationships from day one
Whether it’s your fellow students, your mentor, or your employer, connections matter. Building your network gives you support, references and future links into the industry.
Link your studies to workplace reality
As you complete your assignments and projects, consider how your work looks in a job context. Bring workplace examples into your mentee chats and make your learning relevant.
Ask good questions at your host company
When you’re placed in a host organisation, don’t be passive. Ask how your role contributes, what success looks like and how you can learn from real-world tasks.
Embrace small tasks because they build up to bigger things
You might start with simpler duties, but those build your confidence, your knowledge and your reputation. Over time, they become the big wins.
Reflect on your progress regularly
Schedule short check-ins for yourself: What have I done this week? What have I learned? What do I plan to do next? Reflection helps you stay on track.
Communicate wins and challenges
Let your mentor and host know when you accomplish something or hit a blocker. Taking initiative and being open shows maturity and professionalism.
Use the ACS community
Your membership gives you access to networking, events, webinars, and fellow tech professionals. Get involved and make it part of your routine.
Keep your end goal in mind: employment
PY is designed to help you land that job. Every task, project or conversation is a step towards being fully job-ready and positioned for employment after graduation.
Celebrate your journey
It’s easy to get caught up in workloads and expectations, but take moments to recognise your growth, your new skills and the fact you’re building a future you can be proud of.
For more information about the ACS Professional Year in IT, please visit our website. Or follow our socials for updates.