An internship is your chance to apply what you’ve learned in your training to a real-world setting. You get to build a network of industry contacts and add something substantial to your resume.
It’s not unusual for internships to lead to full-time job offers. Statistics Canada data shows that close to two-thirds of post-secondary graduates who did an internship, practicum, or co-op placement said it helped them find a job after graduation.
So you definitely want to put your best foot forward. But what can you do to maximize your chance of success?
In this post, we outline practical strategies and tips for interns, including expert advice from instructors and career services specialists.
Read on to discover how you can get the most out of your internship experience.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Pre-Internship Preparation
- First Day Success Tips
- Effective Communication and Relationship Building
- Managing Tasks and Time Efficiently
- Seeking and Incorporating Feedback
- Documenting Your Internship Experience
- Post-Internship Strategies
PRE-INTERNSHIP PREPARATION
Whether you are attending career fairs or scouring company websites, securing and preparing for an internship can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you:
Research the Possibilities
The first step is finding an appropriate place to do your internship.
“Target small to medium-sized companies because the big ones are hard if not impossible to get into,” advises Herzing career development director Caroline Glowatski.
“I also tell students to know your job market. A few months ahead of time, look at Indeed and make a list of who’s hiring in your field. Then when internship comes, you can look back and see that ABC company was hiring, so let’s contact them now and see if they need someone.”
Be Ready for Full Time
A lot of students work part or even full time while completing their studies. Colleges offer flexible schedules for exactly that reason. However, when it comes to internships, you need to be prepared to put in full-time hours Monday to Friday. That might mean taking a leave of absence from your regular job or arranging for childcare, so be ready.
Set Realistic Goals
Setting internship goals will help you stay focused and motivated. What do you hope to learn or achieve?
Here are a few examples of goals you might have:
- Learn how to use a specific piece of industry software
- Improve my public speaking skills by giving a presentation at a team meeting
- Connect with at least three professionals in my field of interest within the company
- Shadow a manager for a day to learn about their daily tasks and responsibilities
Get the Logistics Sorted
Reach out to your sponsor to confirm your start date, work hours, and dress code. Ask if there’s a fridge or a microwave you can use for your lunch.
Also, figure out how you’ll be getting to and from work each day. If you’ll be driving, check commute times and parking options. If you’ll be working remotely, set up your workstation and make sure you have the necessary software.
FIRST DAY SUCCESS TIPS
Your first day can set the tone for your entire internship. You may have already met your sponsor in an in-person or virtual interview, but now is your time to shine even brighter. Here are some tips to make sure you get off on the right foot.
Dress Professionally
If you didn’t get details on the dress code ahead of time, err on the side of caution and dress professionally for your first day. You can always adjust your attire later on if needed. If your internship is remote, wear a suitable top and make sure there’s nothing unprofessional or embarrassing within camera range.
Arrive Early
Aim to get to the office at least 15 minutes before your start time. This shows respect for your employer and gives you time to settle in before your day begins.
Take Notes
Have a pen and notepad handy so you can take notes about tasks, equipment, protocols, etc. Don’t rely on your phone for note taking; being wrapped up in your device can easily give the wrong impression.
“Listen carefully to all instructions and take notes so that you do not need constant reinforcement from the employer,” says Caroline. “Employers will see this as a positive.”
Ask Questions
No one expects an intern to know everything. Be curious and ask lots of questions, but try to avoid asking the same question more than once. It’s OK to clarify, but asking the same thing repeatedly shows a lack of engagement.
Learn People’s Names
That goes for everyone you come in contact with: other interns, your supervisor, the person at the front desk, the person who brings the mail, etc. Addressing people by their names goes a long way in making a positive impression.
Succeeding in an internship requires specific strategies
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING
Being clear and concise in your communication is important. Whether it’s an email, text, or in-person interaction, get to the point quickly and avoid rambling. This is especially key when you might be interrupting someone’s workflow.
When meeting with your supervisor, pay close attention and don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if something is unclear.
One of the biggest benefits of an internship is the chance to network and build friendly relationships. Try asking for one-on-ones with team members, managers, or even VPs. You could offer to buy them a coffee or arrange a short video call. Be ready with questions about how they got into the industry, what they like and don’t like about the work, and what advice they can offer you. Such an exercise can be immensely valuable.
MANAGING TASKS AND TIME EFFICIENTLY
While it’s unlikely that you’ll be given critical time-sensitive tasks as an intern, you still need to manage your workload. To stay on top of things, create a daily to-do list. Write down all the tasks you need to complete and prioritize them based on deadlines or importance.
If you finish your assignments and have nothing to do, reach out to your supervisor and ask if there’s anything else you can help with on ongoing projects. Look for opportunities to assist other team members with their tasks, but be sure to check with them first to avoid stepping on toes.
If there are truly no additional tasks, use the time for your professional development. Dig into industry resources or training materials that can help you learn new skills relevant to your field. This proactive approach demonstrates your initiative and desire to learn.
Managing your time well is critical to your success as an intern
SEEKING AND INCORPORATING FEEDBACK
Don’t be afraid to ask for constructive feedback as your internship progresses. Find out what you’re doing well and what you could be doing better, and then try to act on those suggestions.
It can be tempting to just wait and see what your sponsor puts on your internship evaluation form. But if you can get early feedback and show that you’re able to adjust your behaviour, you’ll make a much better overall impression.
And those final evaluations can be critical in landing a job, says Nancy Scott. She teaches the Health Care Aide program at Herzing.
“The number one thing employers want to see? Your clinical evaluation form,” says Nancy. “They want to know how well you performed on the eight-week practicum. Even beyond your grades for classroom work, your practicum evaluation is crucial for landing a great first job.”
DOCUMENTING YOUR INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Documenting your internship gives you concrete details and achievements that you can weave into a compelling narrative when you apply for jobs.
Try to maintain a journal or log where you record your tasks, challenges, accomplishments, and key learnings. Include specific details like project names, software you used, and people you interacted with. Note your reflections and takeaways from each experience.
Tangible evidence of your work is also important. Save copies of presentations you create or reports you contribute to. If confidentiality allows, you can use these work samples in your portfolio.
Another plus of documenting your internship: If your program requires a final report, you can use your notes and reflections to create a comprehensive summary of your experience.
POST-INTERNSHIP STRATEGIES
Here are some key things you can do after your internship to leverage the experience for career growth:
- Send an email to your supervisor thanking them for the opportunity and their guidance. Express interest in a full-time role.
- Integrate your internship experience into your resume and LinkedIn profile, highlighting key achievements and skills you acquired.
- Send LinkedIn connection requests to the people you worked with and ask for recommendations from your supervisors.
- If you have a personal blog or online platform, consider writing an article about your internship experience.
- Pursue additional courses, certifications, or training based on what you learned during your internship.
READY TO KICK-START YOUR NEW CAREER?
At Herzing, the vast majority of our programs include internships. We strive to get you into a work setting that suits your training as well as your interests.
By the time you graduate, you’ll have valuable hands-on experience in your chosen field. Many of our students even get hired directly from their internships.
Click below to explore our programs and find the path that’s right for you.
