You started your internship and things are going swimmingly, but are you taking full advantage of this unique opportunity?
Internships offer you direct access to an extensive network with a wide array of industry experience and wisdom. It also provides you with a chance to make a lasting positive impression. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by. Whether you are a few days in, or it’s been a few weeks, there is still plenty of time to up your intern game.
- Take Initiative
Instead of simply completing the task(s) assigned and asking your supervisor for what to do next,
- After you complete your work, think about what else you may be able to do that would help take the project to the next level.
- With your understanding of the organization, how else may you add value and help solve a current problem?
- When updating your supervisor on your progress, propose your idea(s) and get their feedback. Be sure to articulate how your ideas would add value to the organization.
- Stay Positive and Professional
We all have bad days, but remember that
- Being pleasant and professional makes you a pleasure to work with and helps you build strong relationships with your colleagues.
- Negative or constructive feedback is not personal. Part of the intern experience is to learn and grow. If they aren’t sharing ways for you to improve, how will you know what to work on? Express gratitude for their time and concern for your development.
- Making a mistake does not need to define your internship. If you forgot a meeting/ a deadline/ or misunderstood an assignment, take accountability for this mistake. Accept the mistake, determine where things went awry, and take the steps needed to prevent it from happening again.
- Network like a Pro
Internships are a prime opportunity to build your professional network. There are few other times when you have such direct access to folks in your field of interest, as well as the opportunity to learn about other functions of the organization.
- Be sure to cast a wide net. Think up and across. It is great to get time with leaders in the organization, but don’t discount the value of developing connections with folks in mid or lower-level roles as well. These folks were probably in your position more recently and today career moves are super common. You never know where folks will be in a few years.
- Put yourself out there. Folks are typically open to helping an intern and wouldn’t mind grabbing a coffee or setting up a quick chat. Even for those who are on the shyer side, take the opportunity to introduce yourself and set up chats with folks at all levels of the organization. Each conversation has the potential to shed more light on what it takes to be successful in the organization or your chosen field
- Don’t forget to show gratitude for their time and insight. Be sure to connect with folks on LinkedIn as well, which can be used as a tool for maintaining contact after your internship has concluded.
- If possible, turn those one-off chats into a series of conversations to deepen the connection. At the conclusion of your 20-30 minutes, let them know how insightful the conversation was and see if they’d be open to following up in a few weeks! This won’t be the case for everyone you talk with, but for the people you really connect with, it’s worth trying to sustain the relationship.
Recommended Resources: Whether your are conducting an informational interview or navigating a conflict in the workplace, our Professional Communications Guide can help.
