HONOLULU (KHON2) — Internships can be more than just a steppingstone to a future career. They can be transformative experiences that shape personal growth, cultural understanding and professional development.
To learn more about what it takes to be an intern in 2025, KHON2.com turned to Hokulani Topping, an intern with Purple Maia here on Oʻahu and a computer science major at UC Irvine, and Makanaohaililani Waikiki, Marketing Director and Managing Director of Digital Creators at Purple Maiʻa.
Internships are a unique blend of technology and culture for many; and through their work, interns tend to gain invaluable skills, built strong networks and found new passions.
Topping’s journey into computer science combined with her deep connection to her Native Hawaiian culture, along with Waikiki’s commitment to mentoring future leaders highlight the true potential that internships have to offer both those who work as the intern and those who train the interns.
Here are 10 key lessons and insights from Topping’s and Waikiki’s experiences that can guide anyone looking to make the most out of their internship opportunities.
1. Start with passion and curiosity
Topping’s path to computer science wasn’t a clear-cut decision. Initially a psychology major, she shifted to computer science after realizing she didn’t connect with her first choice.
“It wasn’t that interesting to me,” she admitted. “So, I just kind of went into what people said would make money.”
But once she started, she discovered a deep passion for coding.
“The logic made a lot of sense to me,” Topping reflected. Her advice? Be open to change and follow your curiosity, even if you don’t have all the answers at first.
2. The power of persistence
Getting an internship can feel like a challenging game of persistence. Topping found her internship with Purple Maiʻa after reaching out several times.
“I kept bugging [Makana] until she put me in touch with Donovan,” she said.
Topping said her persistence and clear communication were key in landing the opportunity; and through this experience, she illustrated that following up and being consistent can really pay off.
3. Internships are more than just work
An internship isn’t only about gaining technical skills. It’s about learning and connecting with a community. Topping was immersed in her Native Hawaiian culture while also honing her coding skills.
“It was super empowering being with a bunch of really smart Native Hawaiians,” she said. “Everyone was passionate about the culture and technology.”
Internships can be a space for self-discovery and learning new things about your own heritage or interests.
4. Hands-on learning is key
One of the most valuable parts of Topping’s internship experience was the opportunity to dive into real projects.
“Just being in the space with someone, you learn so much,” she said.
She said she got to apply what she learned in the classroom to actual work situations, such as coding and data analysis which helped her improve faster and more effectively.
5. Be open to new opportunities
Don’t restrict yourself to one specific role. When looking for an internship, Topping advised being open-minded about the areas you wanted to explore.
“Just be open to anything technology-related,” she suggested. “Even if you didn’t know exactly what you wanted to do, internships gave you the opportunity to try different roles and learn what you enjoyed most.”
6. Bring your whole self
Waikiki highlighted the importance of personality in internship roles.
“I feel like if you bring yourself and your bright personality to a workplace, anyone will appreciate that,” she said. Being genuine, rather than trying to fit a mold, can make you stand out and contribute to a positive work environment.”
7. Persistence pays off in internships
As Waikiki mentioned, “Purple Maiʻa’s interns have that same grit and consistency when it comes to their communication because they really, really want it.”
Internships are a two-way street; they aren’t just about the work you put in but also the enthusiasm you brought.
When interns are eager to learn and stay consistent, it builds a strong, lasting impact, said Waikiki.
8. Internships provide real-world experience
Topping said her internship was an excellent way to bridge what she learned in the classroom with what she encountered in her field.
“I learned new frameworks and coding languages that I would have learned in class, but with more support,” she said.
Her internships has given her a practical understanding of concepts that might seem abstract in school, she said.
9. Embrace the community and network
Waikiki shared how essential the network is in internships.
“Internships at Purple Maiʻa are very personalized,” she said. “Interns are exposed to the immediate work and become part of a larger community, which is vital for long-term success.”
“We want our interns to walk back into their communities and say, ‘This was worth my time,'” Waikiki added. “With our internships, you leave with skills and connections that last a lifetime.”
10. Expect to learn beyond the technical
Purple Maiʻa internships blend technology with Native Hawaiian culture, and this is something that has really resonated with Topping through her experiences.
“I found a passion for using technology to perpetuate Hawaiian culture,” she reflected. “My internship was about gaining technical expertise and gaining an opportunity to fuse personal interests and cultural knowledge with my career ambitions.”
Internships aren’t just about getting a job. They are about growth, learning, connections and discovering new passions.
Topping’s experiences at Purple Maiʻa are a perfect example of how internships offer more than technical training.
You can click here to learn more about Purple Maiʻa and here to learn more about Kāpili ‘Oihana internships through Kamehameha Schools. The deadline to apply for the internship is March 14.
With persistence, passion and an open mind, you could make the most of your internship opportunities and walk away with a wealth of knowledge, new skills and connections that could shape your future.