8 Tips to Make the Most of Your Internship

An internship is the very first step in creating a pathway for future career opportunities. During your internship, you will have the chance to apply what you learned in the classroom to real life. Plus, did you know that 70% of companies offer full-time roles to their best interns (1)*? So, if you are interning with a company or thinking of pursuing one soon, it's important to make the most of your time and use your experience to secure full-time positions or better job opportunities. To get you started, we’ve put together 8 internship tips that will help you get the most out of your time as an intern. 

Tip 1: Set clear goals from day one

To get the most out of your internship, set clear and measurable goals from the very beginning. It will help you stay focused on what matters most and not get lost in the daily tasks that don’t add value to your professional growth. Your goals should align with your broader career goals. For example, if you want to build a career in marketing, your goals should reflect the same. They can include gaining experience in digital marketing by learning how to develop content based on market and user data analysis. 

Tip 2: Seek feedback from your supervisors

Once you start your internship, make it a point to ask for feedback from your colleagues, seniors or superiors after completing a task or project. Asking for feedback will help you improve your performance, learn new things and understand how others perceive your work and behavior. Feedback will help you identify areas where you need to work more and refine your skills. Remember to be professional when receiving feedback whether it's positive or negative. Show appreciation for the feedback given to you and ask for suggestions on how you can improve. Follow this internship tip to become a more competent and confident professional, who is ready to face the challenges in the workplace. 

Tip 3: Build your professional network

Many experts believe that at least 80% of jobs are filled through networking (2)*. That’s why you should make the most of your internship to build your professional network. The connections you make during this time can not only help you discover future job opportunities but can also lead to valuable mentorship and career growth. Whether it's your colleagues, superiors or fellow interns – anyone you meet can be a positive part of your career support system. So, take the initiative and introduce yourself to as many people as possible within the organization. You can also attend company events, meetings and social gatherings outside work to expand your network. 

Tip 4: Be proactive at the workplace and learn new skills

As an intern, you have a unique opportunity to learn new skills in a real-world environment. To get the most out of your internship and lay the foundations for your career, be proactive and look out for the best learning opportunities. Develop skills that will set you apart from other job candidates and give you an edge in the job market. If you see a project you like, volunteer to help out. You can also ask for assignments that push you out of your comfort zone to gain experience in areas that are new to you. Make sure the skills you are developing align with your long-term career goals. 

Tip 5: Document all your work and achievements

When you start your internship, the days will blend together and by the end, you won’t even remember what you did. That’s why it's important to document your work. You can keep a journal to record the tasks you completed and your achievements during your internship. This documentation will help you track your progress and be part of your portfolio that you can show during job interviews. You can log your daily tasks, projects you worked on and feedback you received. If possible, quantify your achievements. For example, you may include key milestones like “increased social media engagement by 20%” or “assisted in managing a project with a budget of $50,000.” 

Tip 6: Stay professional and focused throughout your internship

No matter what, don’t forget to be professional throughout your internship. This means having a strong work ethic, being reliable, keeping a positive attitude, being on time, meeting deadlines and communicating clearly and concisely in the workplace. This will leave a good impression on your supervisors and colleagues and increase your chances of getting a full-time job when the internship ends. Even if you don’t get a job with the company you interned with, your professionalism will be remembered by your colleagues and may come in handy in the future. 

Tip 7: Take on extra projects to gain more experience

An internship is an opportunity to learn and gain more experience. The best way to go beyond your daily tasks and responsibilities is to take on extra work. It will also show your supervisor that you are committed to your role, eager to learn new things and go above and beyond what is expected of you. Look for gaps to fill and areas where the team needs help. You can also ask your supervisor for more work. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas on how to improve the organization. By completing extra projects during your internship, you can build a portfolio of your skills and achievements to showcase at future job interviews. 

Tip 8: Understand company culture and meet your co-workers

When you’re new to the corporate world, you must understand that every organization has its own set of values, behaviors, and ways of working. The company culture affects how people interact, how decisions are made and what type of behaviors are rewarded. So, you must understand and be ready to adapt in these key areas if you want to fit in and thrive during your internship. It will also help you handle challenges, build stronger relationships and improve your performance. You can learn about a company’s culture by paying attention to how your co-workers communicate with each other, dress and work together. Observe meetings, team interactions and social events to get a feel for the company’s culture. This is a useful skill that will serve you well in any future role. 

Follow these internship tips to make the most of your time as an intern and set the foundation for a successful professional career. But to follow these tips, you must first secure an internship that aligns with your long-term goals. At Schiller International University, our Global Employability Path gives our students access to selective internships, career services, training activities, and a chance to earn the most in-demand professional certifications! Join us to take advantage of our unique program to develop new skills and gain practical experience to achieve your career goals. 

*Disclaimer 

(1) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/fresher/earn-a-full-time-job-offer-from-your-internship-by-following-these-tricks/articleshow/101463739.cms?from=mdr  

(2) https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2020/10/15/networking-its-not-what-you-think/