You landed a coveted summer internship, and you now find yourself in a world where jargon flies around and there’s an entirely new set of norms for how to interact. Internships can be a fantastic way to figure out your strengths and interests, and while your coworkers may not be on Snapchat all day, they can teach you a lot if you let them. Read on for 5 tips on how to make the most of your summer internship.
1. Do the job you were hired to do, and do it well
This may seem obvious, but when a company hires an intern they do so because they have particular projects or tasks that they need assistance completing. Your summer will be wasted (and you won’t secure a strong reference) if you aren’t successful in meeting your manager’s expectations for the work you were hired to do. Whether you are drafting social media posts, organizing the network drive, or getting coffee, do so willingly and with a commitment to doing it well. For many people that means slowing down, focusing on understanding the assignment, and making sure you are paying attention to the quality of your work.
2. Think beyond your assigned duties
Everyone loves an intern who volunteers to take on more. Once you’ve gotten your arms around your new office life and mastered your daily tasks, raise your hand to take on more. This will show your manager that you are capable, enthusiastic, and an asset to their team. They will be more likely to think of you for new projects where you will be able to expand your skills, or even offer you a full-time job post-graduation.
3. Ask for feedback
The best internships are the ones where you grow, both personally and professionally. From day one, ask your manager to be up front with you if there are things that you could be doing better. Everyone, regardless of their level of seniority, can benefit from constructive feedback. There is much to learn when you are just starting out in a professional environment and a good manager will take the time to help you recognize where you could improve. Take the feedback that they give you to heart and don’t be afraid to change.
4. Connect with other interns and coworkers
Whether you are interning at a small office or a large multinational firm, chances are there are other interns or employees around. Don’t just hide out in your cube – make some new friends! Your summer will be much more enjoyable if you have people to grab lunch and share experiences with. Staying connected with these individuals after you return to school will boost your own professional network and may be helpful when you are ready to search for your first full-time job.
5. Set up informational meetings with people working in other departments
During the course of your internship, you will likely get a good sense of how your own group works. But what if you’re working in marketing but find yourself curious about human resources? Take the initiative to reach out to someone who works in that department and ask if they’ll spend 30 minutes talking to you about their job. What do they look for when reviewing resumes? What makes someone stand out during an interview?
No one expects you to know what you want to do with the rest of your life when you’re in your early twenties. Use your internship to take the opportunity to learn about the various departments that make up your company. You might just find that what you thought you wanted to do isn’t quite the right fit. The most successful internships are the ones that help you define what your own career might look like so be flexible, and keep learning!
