Getting a good internship is more than just a resume building exercise. This is an opportunity to learn, explore yourself, and put things in the right perspective for professional growth. Let’s take a look at how to get the most out of it.
1. Test yourself
An internship is the ideal place to try out new skills and roles, as you will be assisted and guided to be successful by a group of experienced people. This is an opportunity to discover your strengths and ability to work on fresh and creative solutions. Try as hard as you can, put all your skills to the test and get new ones. Through experimentation and trial and error, you will learn what kind of work you enjoy and seek as a career.
2. Consult your supervisors regularly
Always look for feedback! Talk to your supervisors about the development you are doing and the solutions you want to test. Take this opportunity to ask questions and extract as much knowledge as you can from your mentors. This will not only help you improve your work during your internship, but it will also help you grow as a successful professional. This practice will also show that you are attentive and eager to advance in your profession.
3. Go the extra mile
In your internship, you will be exposed to real business problems in the form of projects. Take advantage of that! Let your managers know that you are excited about taking on more responsibilities. Get moving, talk to other teams and learn about their projects too. Don’t limit yourself. Proactively searching for more tasks and searching for information will help you improve your understanding of work and the business in general, and also keep your hours well spent.
4. Network and then network plus
While you need to do your best in the tasks assigned to you, building a strong network is also important. Every conversation is an opportunity to network. Get away from your desk and make connections. Your colleagues can share relevant knowledge and information that can help you accomplish your tasks and can become important contacts for future projects. Additionally, networking will help you build your list of professional contacts who can help you with a solid reference and, in some cases, potentially prepare you for a job.
5. Leave a lasting impression
Building a strong relationship with your supervisors and coworkers may take some time, but it is worth all the effort. Work toward this consistently, have a positive attitude toward people and work, display a good work ethic, and be resourceful and personable to work with. Be someone your coworkers can depend on and would love to collaborate with. A good relationship with them will also mean that they can vouch for you when there is a job opening. Be sure to take the extra step to stay in touch with them even after your internship ends.