Transitioning from an internship to a full-time role.

The process of transitioning from working as an intern into a full-time position can come with many nerves. As I enter into the final week as an intern and step into my new role, which comes with greater responsibilities and expectations, I recognize that this is critical time for my growth and development. In my final blog article as an intern, I will discuss what I envision being the first steps you can take to successfully make this transition.

1. Continue to build relationships.

Throughout my last 10 months working as an intern, one of the key takeaways I came away with was the value of building relationships. I made it a priority to network with other interns, my colleagues, and managers. I plan to continue this as a full-time employee, as it will help me to become integrated into the team more seamlessly. I believe that this will carry me far within the company and ultimately allow me to hit the ground running when I begin full-time.

2. Maintain effective communication.

Effective communication is critical in any workplace. If, like me, you have time off between ending your internship and starting full-time, be sure to keep up with your coworkers. Make it a priority to check your email every few days to stay up to date with the company and anything you may need to take care of in the meantime before you start.

3. Set goals.

At the very start of my internship last summer, I made it a priority to set goals for myself. These goals provided a framework for my development as I made my way through the summer. For this reason, I plan on taking the time to set goals before I start my full-time role. Starting a full-time position for the first time in your life can appear to be daunting, and I believe setting goals is a small thing I can do to combat these fears. These goals can be short-term or long-term and should be aligned with the company’s goals. Furthermore, setting goals will help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards achieving them.

4. Embrace new challenges.

As a full-time employee, you will be faced with new obstacles and responsibilities. Embrace these new challenges and view them as opportunities for growth and development. This will help you to build upon your skillset, and contribute to the success of the company.

Finally, take the time to remember that everything you are feeling is normal. It is expected that you will feel nervous as you enter a brand-new phase in your life. I encourage anyone who is in this position to think about these steps you can take to help ease you through the transition.