March 28, 2024

Making the Most Out of Your Internship

Great! You finally landed an internship, now what? If you thought the hard part was behind you, then prepare to be disappointed.  It is now more imperative than ever to really stand out and show the company what you are made of.  If interning correctly, internships provide invaluable knowledge that can be useful in the long run – regardless if it is a stereotypical coffee/copy machine internship or a hands-on internship. As you progress through your internship, keep in mind these key strategies on how to have a worthwhile internship experience.

Show Curiosity

During the internship, you are bound to have dozens of questions on your assignments.  Don’t be afraid to ask! Coworkers and supervisors are expecting you to have tons of questions.  It shows that you are actively learning and that you want to perform your tasks accurately. Asking for advice or help from co-workers will increase the likelihood of delivering superior results.

Co-workers are great assets to utilize throughout your internship experience. Many of the obstacles you face during your internship, co-workers have probably already experienced. Also, go beyond daily task questions and ask about their career choices. What made them get into that particular field? What are their career goals, and do they have any professional advice? Most will be happy to share their career experiences and will be more than willing to help mentor you as you begin a professional career.  If you build a strong relationship with your co-workers, they will be able to offer you sound advice that is tailored to your needs.

Challenge Yourself

Go above and beyond when accomplishing your tasks.  Your employer will take notice; especially if you show them tangible results which benefit the company due to your efforts. This will demonstrate to your supervisor that they can trust you with more intensive projects. Even if you are assigned a monotonous task, make sure to have a positive and enthusiastic attitude about the task and complete it to the best of your ability. Your professionalism will show your supervisor that you are committed to the internship and that you are up for any challenge, which will help you stand out from other interns. Gaining your supervisor’s trust will greatly benefit you when it’s time to ask for a job recommendation at the end of your internship, or better yet, lead to a job offer at the company. Remember, this is your time to shine so don’t be afraid to challenge yourself by stepping outside of your comfort zone.

Set Goals

At the start of your internship, establish a list of goals that you want to accomplish by the end of your internship. Write these goals down and have them accessible at your place of work so that you can refer to them as needed. It’s important to know what you want to personally gain from the internship and what contributions you want to make towards your place of work. Feel free to add goals as you go, but don’t overwhelm yourself and make sure that your goals are realistic and attainable. Leaving your internship with tangible accomplishments is a must. This will allow you to have concrete examples of the work you produced to show future employers as well as a list on your resume.

Take Criticism and Say Thank You

During your internship, make it a point to ask your supervisor for feedback on how you are performing. Getting regular feedback allows you to constantly improve your skills. Use this feedback and devise a plan on how to improve any weaknesses your supervisor may indicate you may need to focus on.  Meeting with your supervisor also allows for clarification and avoiding unnecessary mistakes. You want to make sure that you and your supervisor are on the same page and that you are meeting company goals while also meeting your own. Be sure to thank your supervisor for their feedback and use the meeting as a resource to learn as much as you can. At any job you take, you will be assessed on your performance so your internship is great practice for later when it really matters.

And last but not least, write a handwritten thank you letter to your supervisor. It is important to express your appreciation for the knowledge and skills they have taught you. It was ultimately your supervisor’s choice to hire you as an intern so don’t take this for granted. Ending your internship on good terms will benefit you tremendously.

Anastasia Mann is a student at the University of Florida who loves to share her advice to others. She is currently a part-time intern at Apartments in Gainesville.

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