Make the most out of your internship this summer by following these tips for success
Use summer internships as a chance to meet professionals in your field and grow your network
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During college years, summer provides a time for relaxation, but students can also take advantage of their more open schedules with summer internships.
When you go to apply for your first job post grad, your main career-focused experience is going to come from the internships you've had.
When classes are in full swing, it can be a lot harder to find time to squeeze an internship into your schedule. Summer is an ideal time to get these done.
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Internships provide you with skills you can take with you into your career. You may even get a full-time job from your internship, so take the experience seriously. Prove to the company you are working for that you're a valued worker worth hiring full-time.
Internships are also a great way for college students to figure out what they want to do for a career. Many degrees are very broad, so working at several different companies through college with your internships can help you really narrow down what career path you'd like to follow.
Take full advantage of summer internships by networking and gaining skills you can include in your resume and cover letter for future jobs. ( / iStock)
Make the most out of your summer internship by following these tips.
- Learn about different jobs within the company
- Say "yes" to hands-on experiences
- Don't be shy
- Keep track of projects and skills you obtain
- Network, network, network
- Find a mentor
- Post-internship check-ins
1. Learn about different jobs within the company
Internships are a step in your journey to a great career.
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Use your internship to learn as much about the company you are working for as possible. If time allows, have conversations, lunch or coffee with individuals in different departments. There may be jobs that are more interesting to you than you thought. You may also find new areas of a company that you didn't know existed.
Shadowing is a great way to learn about someone's day-to-day work. Again, if time allows beyond your daily responsibilities, shadow different people throughout the company to get a better grasp on what their job is like. Ask any questions and express interest in specific tasks and responsibilities.
2. Say ‘yes’ to hands-on experiences
Often, internships offer hands-on experience that you may not receive in a college classroom.
Say "yes" to all the hands-on experience you can get during your internship. Every task you complete and skill you obtain can be put onto your resume when you're applying for your first job. ( / iStock)
If hands-on experience comes your way, accept it.
Use the completion of tasks, knowledge of tools and software, experience working with others, and more on your resume. Discuss specifics from your hands-on opportunities in cover letters and job interviews.
3. Don't be shy
Internships are not a time to sit back and be shy. Speak up, ask questions, initiate conversations, participate in idea development and be a trustworthy worker. Though you will only be at your internship for a short time, you never know where it can take you.
In just a short time, you can bring value to the team. When it comes time to apply for jobs, you're going to want strong connections from your internship in your corner.
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If you have questions, simply ask. Show initiative and interest in the work you are doing. Avoid holding back ideas, helpful feedback and more.
4. Keep track of projects and the skills you obtain
Keep note of every task, big and small, that you perform through your internship.
At the end of each day, take time to write down your accomplishments so you don't forget.
When applying for jobs post graduation, your work experience is going to come from experiences at internships. While applying, go through your notes from each day and pull experiences that are relevant to the position you're seeking.
5. Network, network, network
During your internship, you'll have the chance to work with those that are hiring or currently working in your dream job.
Network with as many people as you can during your internships to help you grow connections you can keep. ( / iStock)
Be certain to introduce yourself to as many people as you can, build contacts, add people on LinkedIn, ask questions and show interest in their field of work.
Network as much as you can. The connections you develop can be extremely useful to you in the future.
6. Find a mentor
While in college, it's important to find people that have your dream job to be mentors to you. Internships are a great way to seek a mentor that you can remain connected with throughout your career.
A mentor has a wealth of knowledge in the career you wish to have. They are someone you can go to with questions and will help you grow within your career.
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One vital part of your internship is building working relationships you can keep far after your position ends. Look out for professionals you look up to, and keep your connection with them even when your internship is over.
7. Post-internship check-ins
The end of an internship doesn't have to mean a formal goodbye. The people with whom you worked can be contacts for you throughout your career. Someone you met while interning may be the connection to a future job.
Keep professional relationships intact even after your internship has concluded.
The end of your internship doesn't have to mean goodbye forever. Continue to reach out to those you worked with to maintain strong working relationships. ( / iStock)
This can be done by simply sending check-in emails, or grabbing a cup of coffee. Don't let your connections be forgotten on your last day of your internship. Keep in contact to help your professional network grow.