Eleven Ways to Excel at Your Internship
1. Treat your internship like it’s a real job
Yes, I'm serious. Many times, people think they do not need to put a lot of effort into their internship, because they are just an "intern", but internships can lead to a world of opportunity. Internships are a great way to build industry connections, learn new skills, and advance your career. By taking your internship seriously, you will show your hard work ethic and your professionalism. People in the industry talk to each other as well, so it is important to maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
2. Conduct informational interviews with your colleagues
This was something I learned from my manager at USF, and that I still continue to this day. Conducting informational interviews has helped me learn more about specific roles. In most cases, people would be more than glad to take 15 minutes or more to discuss their career journey and answer any questions. Preparing a few questions beforehand shows you value their time, but also don't be rigid on how the interview should go. Make sure to be mindful of their time as well, as everyone is busy, and it shows you respect their time.
3. Double check your work
It's always necessary to double check your work. Make sure you have proper spelling, grammar, and that you followed the instructions. Turning in high-quality work is important and shows that you care.
4. Keep track of your projects/accomplishments
Make sure to keep track of all the projects that you have worked on during your internship. It is much easier to continually write down your responsibilities now, then have to do it when you finish your internship as you may forget.
5. Update your LinkedIn and resume regularly
Following the prior tip, make sure to continually update your LinkedIn and resume. I usually update my LinkedIn once or twice a week, while I update my resume monthly. While this may seem extreme, most of the time I do small tweaks or have new tasks to add. You never know when recruiters will reach out to you, and you want them to see your most updated LinkedIn and resume.
6. Take notes
Doing all my internships, I have taken notes when people explain projects to me and during meetings. Having a good notebook will help you refer back when you get confused and serve as a way to remember all your previous projects. If it's a Zoom or Teams meeting, you can also ask if they record the meeting, so you can refer back to it as well.
7. Keep people updated on your progress
It's very important to keep your manager and co-workers informed about your project progress. You never want people to wonder about the status of a project. If it's a long-term project, sending an email at the end of the week with a project update will keep them in the loop.
8. Be kind to everyone
Not only is this a moral thing to do, but it will also make people want to work with you and they may recommend you to others. Having a positive attitude and kind demeanor will take you far professionally.
9. Respond to emails promptly
I'm sure many people can relate to someone taking a very long time to respond to you. Now, I understand many people are busy, but as an intern you are less busy and should always try to respond to emails promptly. Not responding to emails quickly can result in you forgetting about the email. Again, make sure you check your spelling, grammar, and tone.
10. Raise your hand for projects
Always make sure when you have the bandwidth, to raise your hand for projects and ask your colleagues if they need assistance. I always ask for extra work when I can, and this shows that you are proactive and have a strong work ethic.
11. Acknowledge your mistakes, learn, and move on
Mistakes are part of the learning process and don't be ashamed if you make one. Always take accountability, learn from your mistakes, and move on. There is no use dwelling on a mistake, but rather learn the lesson and do better next time.
Do you have any more tips? Let me know in the comments.
