30/08/2018
Ten ways you can work to make a lasting impression during your summer internship.
1. Arrived prepared and continue to prep, as if it’s one of your courses.
Before you begin your internship, show initiative by contacting your boss and asking if there’s anything you can do to prepare for your first day.
Instead of just showing up the first day, unprepared, reach out. There may be a project you can begin to work on, start to research or skills you may be able to brush up on.
Taking initiative will show your new boss you are an intern that takes your new position seriously and that you’re willing to go the extra mile.
2. Get to know your Boss – and their work style.
Every boss has a specific work style and flow. It’s important to get to know your new boss and the way they work in order to anticipate their needs.
3. Ensure you know the internship description and that it’s being followed.
Many interns complain that their internships don’t turn out to be all that they had hoped – or had been led to believe. However, it’s up to you to do research before taking the position.
If a position’s description sounds great and you decide on an internship because of it, it’s up to you to ensure that your internship follows the job description.
4. Communicate by asking for what you want – before, during and after the internship.
Negotiate your needs in terms of hours, learning goals before you even begin your internship so you’re on that same page with your employer.
Touch base as your internship progresses, ensuring that your needs are being met and addressing any concerns that arise.
At the end of your internship, review what you’ve learned, how much time you’ve spent working and any potential learning opportunities you’d still like to pursue within the company.
5. Go above and beyond, filling in the gaps with your own research and common sense.
One of the main issues employers complain about with interns and employees, for that matter, is that they aren’t able to take on assigned tasks and fill in the necessary gaps in direction.
Instead of running back to your boss with questions about every minute detail on a project you’re assigned, use your unique skill set to research independently and figure out the details on your own.
Your boss will appreciate your efforts and the lack of interruption within their busy day.
6. Get to know the staff.
Just because you’re an intern doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get to know everyone at the job. In fact, it means you should get to know everyone.
Talk to everyone that works at the company – both in and out of your department. Making connections is vital to networking and you never know who knows someone.
It’s also a great way to make yourself memorable at that particular internship. When people at the company in different departments know and recognize you, you become a part of their workforce.
7. When your tasks are complete, ask for more.
Once your daily task list is complete, don’t just sit around or goof off! Ask for more projects – what else can you can do to serve the needs of the company?
Showing that you have completed tasks is great. Showing that you’re ready to tackle more is even better.
8. Stay ahead of your boss by predicting needs before you’re asked.
One sign of a great worker is anticipating needs before they are needs. If you know something is coming down the pipeline and it’s your responsibility to prepare, start on it before you’re even asked to do so.
It’s a surefire way to impress your boss and coworkers. Just ensure you don’t step on any toes by taking on someone else’s tasks. That makes you look good and another coworker look bad, which is a surefire way to becoming the intern that nobody likes.
9. Don’t act like an intern – become part of the team.
Rather than “acting like an intern” and merely taking tasks given to you, completing them and calling it a day, work on them like it’s your actual job.
Treat your internship like it’s your permanent job and you’re part of the team. After all, for the time you are working there, you are a part of the team.
10. Take all of your tasks – no matter how small – seriously.
