Expand Your Knowledge
Try to learn a variety of things during your internship. Learn more about the industry and the different job opportunities within it. If you are interning in the marketing department, look for employees in the editorial team or programming department. Notice how their work differs from your own.
Your goal is to understand the company as a whole. How is it organized? What is the company culture? Which employees are considered stars? What makes an employee good? Keep your future in mind: Do you want to work for a company like the one you are interning at, or would you prefer a different management or organizational structure? During interviews, you will receive questions about how you work and the environments that suit you. The knowledge you gain during your internship will affect your answers.
Note: You may discover during your internship that the company or industry is not right for you. If that’s the case, don’t view the internship as wasted time. The sooner you discover pathways that don’t suit you, the better.
Build Confidence in Workplace Practices
If you have always been in school and worked part-time jobs in retail or food service, your internship may be your first exposure to office culture. It’s… different. The more you are exposed to how offices work, from small talk before meetings to knowing who to copy on an email (and when), the more comfortable you will feel when you are in a full-time position.
Also, remember that knowing industry terminology is incredibly helpful when deciphering job roles, writing effective cover letters, and speaking like a seasoned professional during interviews. So keep track of the tools used in the office and the buzzwords that come up during meetings.
Expand Your Skills and Document What You Do
During your internship, you may write the first newsletter or create a computer program or even run a project. However, some internship programs reserve the dull work for interns. Ensure that, regardless of the work you are doing, you are gaining knowledge and skills that differ from what is taught in the classroom.
Even simple tasks like communicating with employees to gather information for inclusion in the daily email can look strong on your resume. So keep track of everything you learn and do during your internship. It may be helpful to keep a journal. Or simply jot down a digital note or draft email with the date each time you complete a new task. For example, “9/11 – Learned a new Excel formula”; “11/22 – Attended a conference and presented key points in an all-staff meeting.” These notes will be valuable when writing job descriptions for your resume.
Finally, remember that the purpose of the internship is not only to help the company but also for you to learn. Take notes during meetings and if something is unclear, ask questions for clarification later. If coworkers mention interesting news stories or relevant resources or tips, you should follow up and learn more.
Note: All this research and follow-up will make you a better and more knowledgeable candidate during interviews.
Ask for Feedback
As an intern, you carry a rough title of “the newbie.” This can be frustrating and sometimes limit you from the more exciting projects, but it also means that you are expected not to know everything. Take advantage of this expectation by asking plenty of questions.
You should also seek feedback from managers and coworkers. Find out what you can do better. Although it may be hard to hear criticism, this knowledge will help you improve. Additionally, it’s better to find out now rather than in a full-time job where poor performance could mean being let go. Furthermore, you will have something to say when interviewers ask, “What is your biggest weakness?”
Finally,
If there is any time in your career when mistakes are not devastating, it is now. Of course, at best, you won’t make mistakes. But, most likely, you will. If that happens, just admit your mistake honestly and ask your manager what you can do to fix the situation. Then save it under lessons learned.
Give it your all
The best internship periods offer challenging and exciting work. But, unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re struggling to stay engaged: Ask for more: Volunteer for additional work and projects if you have completed the tasks assigned to you. Or, even better, create a list of helpful projects or tasks and ask your manager if you can move forward with them. Be bold: Meet with your manager early on, if possible, to try to get an understanding of their expectations. Remember, part of their job is to ensure you have a meaningful experience. If you know you’re interested in meeting certain people or achieving goals worthy of mention on your resume, let your manager know. Just be mindful of their schedule – most office workers are very busy. Don’t look bored: Depending on your responsibilities, this might be a challenge. No matter how boring the work is, don’t show it on your face or in your attitude. Don’t check your phone during meetings or social media at your desk (unless it’s part of your job responsibilities).
Build connections and find a mentor
If you are part of a group of interns, you may have formed lasting relationships. Don’t miss the opportunity to network with your coworkers – at appropriate times. Expand your social connections beyond just the interns as well. Ask your coworkers to grab coffee or sit with them at lunch. Participate in company social events and get to know others. (Warning: If alcohol is served, even if you are of legal age, use it sparingly. Being a drunken intern at a work event doesn’t look good.)
Finally, be prepared to find a professional mentor who can offer you advice, write you recommendations, and help you make important connections. If you have a colleague who knows their way around, ask them how they got to where they are and what advice they would give you. These conversations are the beginning of a mentor-intern type of relationship, which can be a powerful asset throughout your career.
Start your career journey
The internship is not just another task to check off on your way to earning your degree. When you make the most of your internship opportunity, you are taking the first step toward a meaningful and rewarding career.
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Source: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/how-to-get-the-most-out-of-your-internship-4157867
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