Making the Most of Your Internship: Strategies for Success
One thing about internships hasn’t altered despite their evolution. They continue to give students the chance to gain practical experience, learn about a particular industry, develop new abilities, forge meaningful connections, and differentiate themselves in the job market.
One of the most important elements when employers are deciding between similar candidates is an internship with a company or within its industry.
Additionally, multiple studies demonstrate that students who complete internships before to graduation usually do so more swiftly than those who do not. When you’re willing to extract every last bit of value from the experience, your internship will be the most fulfilling.
Here is some professional advice for maximizing an internship
What does success mean to you?
Understanding what “more” means to you will help you work towards it during your internship. What “more” means to you will differ from person to person. Do you desire a job offer that is full-time? A follow-up internship? A reference letter for graduate school? A mentoring connection? Another thing?
- Who do you hope to encounter?
- What do you hope to discover?
- What do you want your CV to highlight?
Don’t keep what you desire to yourself once you can define it. Be clear about your goals and expectations so that those around you, including your manager, mentor, and team members, can help you achieve them. You don’t receive what you don’t ask for, after all.
Take the initiative
As an intern, it can be tempting to be quiet in order to prevent upsetting someone or making a mistake. What students should be doing during internships is the exact opposite of that.
The most crucial action you can do, he advises, is to demonstrate you want to assist and learn. That entails conducting research, posing insightful queries, offering your time to initiatives and opportunities, and requesting feedback on your work. Simply said, you can’t just wait for someone to make you complete your internship. Be driven and courageous.
Build connections
It’s frightening to start an internship. You’re usually the youngest employee at work, so you lack the background knowledge and experience that those around you have.
The truth is that if you form those connections, you can make use of all the wisdom and experience that is available to you. You can develop those ties on your own; don’t rely on others to do it for you with a brief introduction or an intern luncheon.
Make a list of people and things you already have in common, as well as people you’d like to learn from. Then, get in touch with them personally to introduce yourself, ask a few questions, and generally establish the groundwork for a fruitful professional connection.
Keep it businesslike
When it comes to your internship, often the most straightforward advice can have the largest impact. You must act professionally in order to be respected, which includes
- Keeping your promises by arriving early
- Getting ready in advance for meetings
- Observing deadlines and keeping your word
- Respectful and effective communication
- preventing office rumors and whining
Even though it may not be ground-breaking advice, it never hurts to go back and review the fundamental internship guidelines to make sure you’re ticking all the right boxes.
Wrap up vibrant
You shouldn’t just take your final paycheck and ride off into the distance when your internship is over. As you say farewell, leave a lasting impression.
If you want to be heard, seen and remembered for the right reasons, make sure you show your appreciation to everyone you come in contact with, work with, or have a pleasant interaction with.
Write a personalized, handwritten note to each person who had an impact on you and your internship using a box of “thank you” cards. Express your gratitude for their assistance and participation in your note.
Sending a last group email to your whole team or department on your last day is also a wise move. Reiterate your gratitude, give a brief update on what’s coming up for you, and offer your contact information so that anyone who wishes to stay in touch can do so.
Retain your state of mind
One of the greatest ways to make the most of your internship is to stay in touch. If you allow those relationships to gradually disappear, they won’t be of any use to you.
There are two methods of communication: passively and actively. By connecting on LinkedIn, you can maintain contact in a passive manner. Even if there is less pressure, you may still be easily found by others and they can do the same for you.
Active communication is more direct and individualized. Send emails on occasion to those you formed the strongest connections with. Share knowledge or even give an update on your activities. While developing relationships is certainly important for your career success, sustaining them is just as important when it comes to internship guidance.
It’s alluring to believe that you are just along for the ride during your internship, that you have little control over the situation, and that you must do what your employer directs. However, students that get the most out of their internships are aware that they are in control. Your internship is an opportunity to learn and explore. But in the end, it’s up to you to decide how much of it you actually do.