Internships are a great way to gain valuable experience and build professional relationships. It is important that when you are presented with an opportunity, you explore all of its options. You never know who you will meet, what you will learn, or how it may help you in the future. 

I have used my experiences as an intern this summer to create a list of helpful tips when completing an internship. Here is some advice to help you maximize your internship experience:

Set goals: Identify what you want to achieve during your time at the company and work towards those goals. This is a crucial part of any internship as you should be looking to take the skills you have learned in school and expand on them. Some goals could include developing a new skill, completing a specific project, making a certain number of professional connections, or refining skills you learned throughout your education.

Be adaptable: Internships can be unpredictable, and you may be asked to work on tasks or projects outside of your comfort zone. Pushing yourself beyond where you’re comfortable can be a good thing that forces you to grow. Embracing these opportunities will allow you to learn new skills which can help you later in your career. It is never too early or late to expand your knowledge

Stay organized: Keep track of your tasks, deadlines, and meetings using a planner or digital tool. This will help you stay on top of your workload and ensure that you are meeting expectations. Staying on top of things and completing your tasks on time makes a good impression on your employer.

Build relationships: During my four years in college, I have heard the phrase, “It isn’t what you know, it’s who you know” more times than I can count. In addition to networking with colleagues, try to connect with other interns and employees at the company. You never know who a valuable contact in the future could be.

Reflect on your experience: Take time to reflect on what you have learned and how you have grown during your internship. This self-reflection can help you identify areas for improvement and set goals for your future career. This step is important as it will allow you to think about what the next stage in your career is and how to prepare for it.

Remember, internships are a stepping stone to your future career. By taking advantage of these opportunities and being proactive, you can set yourself up for success and stand out to future employers!