5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Internship
It starts with getting to know people
Landing a summer internship is a major accomplishment and an exciting opportunity. It’s kind of like a test run for both you and your employer — a defined time and space for you and the company to determine if this job and this organization are a good fit for you.
In my experience working as an intern for a top Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) company in both IT and Sales, I discovered a few key factors that led to my full-time job offer. Here are my tips to turn your internship into a full-time job:
1. From day one, get to know people on your team and beyond.
a. For practical help in your job: You will likely be meeting with your manager and team members within your first week on the job, which will be critical for you to get the lay of the land. Ask your manager who else they think you should meet to learn about different departments that commonly work with your team. Once you get those names, set up 30-minute coffee chats, phone calls, or meetings with them to find out what they do and how you might be able to work with them on your projects. Those connections can prove to be invaluable when you are in a pinch and need someone experienced to help you out. You are more likely to get quick responses and careful attention from someone who has already met you.
b. To understand the company better: Making friends with people in other departments also allows you to understand better how the company functions. Many companies have numerous interdependent teams — maybe you like your current role, but discover that another team or role could be a better fit for you. This is not something you would know without talking to people in other areas. Getting to know other roles and teams is helpful in understanding how the organization operates and how you can best fit within it.
2. Nail your assigned work then try to go above and beyond what is required of you.
Whatever projects your manager gives you, do them to the best of your ability and do them on time. While internships are primarily designed to be learning opportunities for you as the intern, there is still work that needs to get done. If you are on top of your daily tasks and projects, then take the opportunity to ask your manager if they have any other work for you. Perhaps they have another project on the side that they have been meaning to get to, or another manager could make use of your extra capacity. Work efficiently day in and day out and you will be rewarded. Hard work and consistency is always valued.
3. Ask for feedback.
Your manager has a wealth of knowledge and experience that you can tap into, so make sure you ask for feedback regularly. Asking every time you meet with them might be excessive, but try to find out what you could be doing better every couple of weeks. Some managers are very forward with this information and you might not need to ask, but by asking you are demonstrating a desire to learn and improve in your role.
If you are not doing something well, you are showing maturity by asking where your weaknesses are and showing respect for your boss. Feedback will also help you figure out if you are on track to get a full-time offer or not.
4. Get exposure in the company.
There is a fine line between getting exposure and bragging about yourself. People can tell if you are only there to make yourself look good, and let me tell you, that’s not a good look. Getting exposure in your company often comes in more natural ways. Maybe your team has a monthly town hall at which you can present your work or weekly check-ins to discuss project milestones. Regularly scheduled team gatherings often provide an opportunity for your manager to highlight your accomplishments or for you to take the floor to share what you have been working on.
Again, I am not saying you should take every opportunity to tell people what great work you are doing, but rather be open to sharing your work with people who you may not work with directly. It is often your manager and their superiors that make hiring decisions, so do not be afraid to speak up when given the chance.
5. Get involved in the community of your company.
Showing up at your job from 9–5 is necessary. Getting involved in the community is not necessary, but very beneficial. Maybe your company has a pizza night after work on Fridays or a basketball team that you could join. Perhaps there are charity initiatives that you can help with or a network that meets every couple of weeks.
By getting involved in the “extracurricular” activities that your workplace has to offer, you allow people to get to know you as a whole person, not just a colleague. These community-building activities give you a unique chance to meet people you would not have ordinarily met and built friendships with people who have common interests. Some days, going to work from 9–5 is enough, but I urge you to take advantage of the other things going on in the office to get a better feel of the organization and your fit.
As you start your internship, keep these tips in mind and if all goes well, you could have a full-time job lined up in only 4 months!
