How to Rock Your InternshipYour internship is a time of learning and growth. Whether paid or unpaid, short-term or long-term, you can use your internship to gain real-world experience and build strong connections. Here are four keys to rock your internship:
Your internship may be one of the final times in your life when you can ask as many questions as you want. So ask away! Find out everything from how to use the copier, to how your supervisor got her job, to the inner workings of your field.
Arrive armed with questions, such as:
These questions will help you understand what your supervisor is looking for, how you can add more value to your internship, and what you can do to make a great impression.
If your supervisor isn't interested in answering your questions, seek out people who will. Offices are busy places, but there's bound to be someone who will talk to you. In the rare case you can't find anyone's brain to pick, try to be an observer. Get all of your questions answered by simply watching the interactions of the office.
Let your supervisor know what you would like to learn and what skills you would like to use throughout your internship. She may not always be able to accommodate your skills or learning opportunities in every assignment, so be open to all the possibilities of your internship. You never know what opportunities might come your way! (Yes, stuffing envelopes may not feel like an opportunity, but you never know!)
Beyond your immediate needs of the internship, consider sharing your long-term goals, the what-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up kind. If you think you know what you want to do the rest of your life, let your internship be the test for whether or not you'll truly be happy in that role. If you don't have a clue what you want to do after school, take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.
Consider asking your boss if you can meet someone from each department, especially if you're working in a larger office. This will help you get a well-rounded view of the company and could generate some great connections for you. Once again, bring your best questions with you as you meet people. Show genuine interest in their roles (or at least try to!)
Search for allies throughout the company. Your new friends may be able to:
Look for connections at all levels; don't limit yourself to just hanging out with other interns.
Just because you've completed your internship, it doesn't mean you have to end the relationship. Keep in touch with your supervisor and newfound friends as potential references. Consider e-mailing them every couple of months or linking with them through social media. You never know when you might want their advice or assistance in the future!
Angela Marino publishes Girl Meets Business, a career-development blog for young professionals. A successful young professional herself, Angela provides practical career advice and insight to people in their 20s and 30s. From a young age, Angela had a passion for writing, completing her first novel in the eighth grade. In 2003, Angela earned a degree in professional writing from Missouri State University.