Internships can be a huge asset to your resume and career. They allow you to try out different skills and industries before settling on one, and they will enable you to work with people at the top of their field and teach you how to succeed in the workplace.
However, not every internship is perfect- there are some things that interns should do to make sure that they get the most out of this experience. The following piece will discuss ten ways to make the most of your internship.
1. Take Initiative
Most internships are not just an opportunity to observe or learn about your industry. You will most likely be given work to do, so use the opportunity to show that you are enthusiastic and willing to learn more about your chosen field by taking on some tasks. Not only will it impress the higher-ups, but it may even allow you to get involved in projects that would otherwise have been closed off to outsiders.
2. Be Proactive in Meetings
Managers understand that interns sometimes feel lost during meetings, primarily held over several agenda points. However, this doesn’t mean that you should sit back quietly and let everyone else talk while you wait for something important to be said.
Instead of sitting idle while everyone else discusses the project at hand, take this opportunity to pipe up and ask questions. Not only will you learn more about what’s going on, but you’ll also show that you’re engaged and want to be a part of the team.
3. Dress Professionally
This one is significant if you want to make a good impression on your superiors. Even if the office dress code is casual, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and dress formally for your internship. This sends the message that you take your work seriously and are eager to make a good impression.
4. Get to Know Your Coworkers
Internships can be lonely places if you don’t take the time to get to know your coworkers. Not only is it a good idea to build a rapport with people who could potentially help you in the future, but it’s also an excellent way to learn more about the industry and your company.
5. Stay until Your Boss Finishes Work
If you think that showing up early and staying late is enough to make an impression on your superiors, then you’re wrong. To impress the higher-ups at your internship, try sticking around after they leave for the day so you can put out any fires or finish up important projects. Not only will this show them how responsible and reliable an employee you are, but it will also give them a chance to contact you outside of regular office hours.
6. Be Proactive about Personal Growth
There’s no reason why internships should only be limited to learning new skills on the job. If you want to make the most out of your training, then it might be a good idea to take some initiative and find ways to improve yourself. For example, if you’re an entry-level worker who wants to progress further down the line, consider asking your superiors about potential opportunities for growth within your company.
7. Ask for Feedback
Even though they are unpaid interns, most people are expected to do more than learn by observation. This means that most employers will expect something in return – usually constructive criticism about improving your work performance. If you want to make sure that you get the most out of your internship, then make sure to ask for feedback from time to time.
8. Ask about Future Opportunities
One of the best ways to get more out of an internship is by asking if there are any future opportunities that you could pursue. Suppose you’re working away in a company and don’t hear from them about possible promotions or openings.
In that case, it might be because they think that you aren’t interested in pursuing another opportunity within their company. Be proactive about this process and ask about potential growth paths before leaving.
9. Don’t Contact Your Higher-Ups Outside Of Work Hours
You may want to get in touch with your superior when they’re not busy during the day so that they can give you some quality advice. However, if you constantly bombard them with messages outside of work hours, they’re going to start ignoring your requests. Try to limit yourself to one or two contact attempts per week, and make sure that they’re during reasonable hours.
10. Send a Thank-You Note
This is a small gesture, but it can go a long way in making an impression on your superiors. If you want to stand out from the other interns, then take the time to send them a thank-you note after each meeting or project that you work on together. Not only will this show that you appreciate their time, but it will also remind them of your name and what you’re capable of.
While some college students might see internships as a waste of time, it is an excellent opportunity to gain more experience and connect with the workforce. When it comes to getting the most out of your internship, you’ll need to remember that you’re there to work.
This means that you should put in all of your efforts every day and be proactive about learning new things on the job. By showing these qualities early on, you are sure to impress senior employees at your company, which will hopefully lead to exciting opportunities down the line.
Internships can be a huge asset to your resume and career. They allow you to try out different skills and industries before settling on one, and they will enable you to work with people at the top of their field and teach you how to succeed in the workplace.
However, not every internship is perfect- there are some things that interns should do to make sure that they get the most out of this experience. The following piece will discuss ten ways to make the most of your internship.
1. Take Initiative
Most internships are not just an opportunity to observe or learn about your industry. You will most likely be given work to do, so use the opportunity to show that you are enthusiastic and willing to learn more about your chosen field by taking on some tasks. Not only will it impress the higher-ups, but it may even allow you to get involved in projects that would otherwise have been closed off to outsiders.
2. Be Proactive in Meetings
Managers understand that interns sometimes feel lost during meetings, primarily held over several agenda points. However, this doesn’t mean that you should sit back quietly and let everyone else talk while you wait for something important to be said.
Instead of sitting idle while everyone else discusses the project at hand, take this opportunity to pipe up and ask questions. Not only will you learn more about what’s going on, but you’ll also show that you’re engaged and want to be a part of the team.
3. Dress Professionally
This one is significant if you want to make a good impression on your superiors. Even if the office dress code is casual, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and dress formally for your internship. This sends the message that you take your work seriously and are eager to make a good impression.
4. Get to Know Your Coworkers
Internships can be lonely places if you don’t take the time to get to know your coworkers. Not only is it a good idea to build a rapport with people who could potentially help you in the future, but it’s also an excellent way to learn more about the industry and your company.
5. Stay until Your Boss Finishes Work
If you think that showing up early and staying late is enough to make an impression on your superiors, then you’re wrong. To impress the higher-ups at your internship, try sticking around after they leave for the day so you can put out any fires or finish up important projects. Not only will this show them how responsible and reliable an employee you are, but it will also give them a chance to contact you outside of regular office hours.
6. Be Proactive about Personal Growth
There’s no reason why internships should only be limited to learning new skills on the job. If you want to make the most out of your training, then it might be a good idea to take some initiative and find ways to improve yourself. For example, if you’re an entry-level worker who wants to progress further down the line, consider asking your superiors about potential opportunities for growth within your company.
7. Ask for Feedback
Even though they are unpaid interns, most people are expected to do more than learn by observation. This means that most employers will expect something in return – usually constructive criticism about improving your work performance. If you want to make sure that you get the most out of your internship, then make sure to ask for feedback from time to time.
8. Ask about Future Opportunities
One of the best ways to get more out of an internship is by asking if there are any future opportunities that you could pursue. Suppose you’re working away in a company and don’t hear from them about possible promotions or openings.
In that case, it might be because they think that you aren’t interested in pursuing another opportunity within their company. Be proactive about this process and ask about potential growth paths before leaving.
9. Don’t Contact Your Higher-Ups Outside Of Work Hours
You may want to get in touch with your superior when they’re not busy during the day so that they can give you some quality advice. However, if you constantly bombard them with messages outside of work hours, they’re going to start ignoring your requests. Try to limit yourself to one or two contact attempts per week, and make sure that they’re during reasonable hours.
10. Send a Thank-You Note
This is a small gesture, but it can go a long way in making an impression on your superiors. If you want to stand out from the other interns, then take the time to send them a thank-you note after each meeting or project that you work on together. Not only will this show that you appreciate their time, but it will also remind them of your name and what you’re capable of.
While some college students might see internships as a waste of time, it is an excellent opportunity to gain more experience and connect with the workforce. When it comes to getting the most out of your internship, you’ll need to remember that you’re there to work.
This means that you should put in all of your efforts every day and be proactive about learning new things on the job. By showing these qualities early on, you are sure to impress senior employees at your company, which will hopefully lead to exciting opportunities down the line.