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Have you ever stopped to think about what your strengths are? Here at AIFS Abroad, we use a strengths-based approach to career-readiness to help our internship program participants discover where their talents lie. This way, they can apply them to their internships abroad and on their future journey to finding a career they love.
As an AIFS Abroad internship program participant, you’d take the Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment before jetting off to your program overseas. A one-hour professional coaching call is set up so you can deepen your understanding of your strengths and think about how you’d like to apply them as an intern, whether interning on-site or remotely from home.
The StrengthsFinder assessment is a handy tool created by Gallup Education for personal development. It pinpoints an individual’s “Top 5” strengths out of 34 different strength themes grouped into four domains:
- Strategic Thinking
- Relationship Building
- Influencing
- Executing
These strengths can range from Achiever, which helps you power through tasks, to Woo, aiding you in connecting with new people, or Adaptability, which helps you roll with the punches life throws your way.
Focusing on your strengths daily can have a significant positive impact on both your personal and professional life. Here are the top five ways it can make a difference:
1. You’ll feel the magic of “the flow.”
When you’re aware of your strengths and actively put yourself in situations that allow you to use your natural talents every day, it’s like hitting the engagement jackpot. This state of being is often described as being “in the flow.”
People who experience this “flow” are engaged in an activity where their skills perfectly match the challenge at hand. They become so immersed in what they’re doing that they lose track of time and self-consciousness. It’s like when someone gets to tap into their creativity during an Art internship or when they’re deeply engrossed in creating social media graphics for their Digital Marketing internship. In those moments, they’re living in the present and expressing their true selves. It’s the sweet spot where passion and proficiency meet.
2. You’ll be empowered to make more informed and satisfying career choices.
Many college students often select their majors or field of study based on their parents’ desires or societal notions of what constitutes a “good” or “stable” career. Sure, you might end up with a hefty paycheck, but if you’re dedicating a huge percentage of your daily life to a job you loathe, is all that money really worth the misery?
Truly understanding your strengths empowers you to make informed decisions about your studies, career path, and job choices. You’ll actively choose to position yourself in roles where you can apply your top skills. It’s a path to finding a career you genuinely love, and it can get you there quicker.
3. Your overall internship experience will be enhanced.
The key to a successful international internship often hinges on the relationship you build with your supervisor. During this relatively short period, this person is more than just your boss; they become your mentor, your link to a professional network, and possibly a connection to future career prospects.
When you understand your own strengths and effectively communicate them to this crucial figure, you’re taking strides to ensure they get to know you on a deeper level. This, in turn, opens doors to opportunities they create for you in your internship that align with your strengths.
Additionally, feedback from your supervisor and colleagues can be incredibly valuable for young professionals, and when it’s rooted in your strengths, it can drive not only your growth and development as an intern but also your personal growth as a whole individual.
4. You’ll build stronger professional relationships.
Sharing the results of your strengths with your colleagues and teammates, and taking the time to understand theirs, can lead to numerous positive outcomes during your internship and set the stage for long-term career success, such as:
- Conflict resolution
- Formation of project teams with a diverse blend of strengths
- Fostering a robust and positive office culture
At its core, understanding and communicating each other’s strengths enhances relationships through empathy.
So, embrace your strengths! Display your “Top 5” Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment skills in your email signature, on your office door, in your LinkedIn profile, or even on your business cards. Challenge yourself to identify your colleagues’ strengths as well. It’s a surefire way to strengthen your team and promote a harmonious work environment.
5. You will experience happiness and career well-being.
Understanding and harnessing your strengths not only leads to greater engagement and improved relationships at work but also contributes to your overall satisfaction and well-being. When you get to do what you love every day and collaborate with people who really understand and appreciate you, you’ll find personal and professional fulfillment.
If you want a successful career and a happy personal life, channel your hope for the future. This hope is best nurtured when you have a solid awareness of your strengths and a sense of control over your own life. In essence, when you know what you excel at, you feel more confident as you navigate the world.
Ready to use your strengths to find a career you love?
So, embrace your strengths! Display your “Top 5” Clifton StrengthsFinder Assessment skills in your email signature, on your office door, in your LinkedIn profile, or even on your business cards. Challenge yourself to identify your colleagues’ strengths as well. It’s a surefire way to strengthen your team and promote a harmonious work environment.
