4 Ways You Can Experience the Real World Without Leaving Your House

In a time when online schooling and lockdown is the norm, you might be asking yourself some questions. “How do I gain experience?” “How do I build up my resume?” “Can I even apply for internships at this time?” We’ll be honest: Getting some real world experience at a time when we can’t really leave our houses can be quite challenging… BUT not impossible.

We live in a digital age that has brought us amazing tech platforms like Zoom, Google Hangouts, and more. So fear not, because today we’re listing down several easy ways you can gain the real world experience you need, all without leaving your home!

1. Sign up for OWN Academy’s Pre-Internship Training

If you have absolutely no idea about applying for internships or working in the corporate world, or are nervous about even trying it out, we suggest taking baby steps. OWN Academy has a pre-internship program that’ll help train you to become an amazing intern.

In this 5-week program, you will get the opportunity to understand how you can add value to any business or field you join, practice communicating confidently and professionally with your bosses and colleagues, and continue to gain an edge over other interns by building an arsenal of key digital skills.

If you have absolutely no idea about applying for internships or working in the corporate world, or are nervous about even trying it out, we suggest taking baby steps. OWN Academy has a pre-internship program that’ll help train you to become an amazing intern.

In this 5-week program, you will get the opportunity to understand how you can add value to any business or field you join, practice communicating confidently and professionally with your bosses and colleagues, and continue to gain an edge over other interns by building an arsenal of key digital skills.

2. Join Forage’s Virtual Work Experience Programs

If you’re looking for a stress-free, hassle-free, pressure-free way to gain real world experience, then Forage is the platform for you. They host over 50 courses with leading companies like Microsoft, Citi, BCG, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, PWC, and more!

And guess what, all these programs are completely FREE! As if that didn’t sound amazing enough, there are no applications — so you don’t have to compete with other students. All you have to do is register and you’re guaranteed a spot in the program. The best part is that the programs are truly digital, meaning students from anywhere in the world can access them and complete them in their own time. Win, win!

3. Apply for Internships in OWN Academy’s Internship Marketplace

Let’s be honest, scouring through job portals for internships can be very overwhelming. There are so many choices out there, not to mention the stiff competition you’ll be up against. Now, if only there was an internship platform that was dedicated to students… Guess what? There is!

OWN Academy’s Internship Marketplace is the perfect place to go for students in need of some work experience. We have a variety of different industries, and a mix of both offline and online internships with companies such as Drew Binsky LLC, Ekobor, The Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Christie’s Education, and much more.

4. Attend the OWN Future Fair

If you’re not yet set on applying for an internship but want to be able to connect with top industry experts and learn about industry trends and insights, then attending OWN Future Fair might just be up your alley.

As Asia’s most innovative and diverse career fair, participants will get the chance to explore new opportunities, interact and connect with industry leaders, and build a network of like-minded individuals.

Speakers in the past and upcoming fairs included a Facebook Program Manager, a Microsoft Technology Expert, a Senior Managing Consultant for IBM, a Head of Automation from Spotify, YouTubers, influencers, and more. Complimentary tickets are available, so make sure to make the most out of this wonderful opportunity!

At OWN Academy, we are all about experiential learning. While learning through your teachers and textbooks are all well and good, nothing can compare to experiencing it yourself. This is why real world learning is so important. Skills like communication, leadership, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills aren’t necessary skills they teach you in a classroom.

Rather than formulas and concepts, experiences like internships and virtual programs and events can teach you applicable soft skills you can bring with you not only to your future jobs and careers, but in every aspect of your life.