Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Let’s face it. Internships can be stressful. Diving headfirst into new company culture and a new job position surrounded by hundreds of new coworkers is not for the faint of heart. The impact of these opportunities on your professional and personal development cannot be overstated. With all of the quick adjustments that need to be made, many first-time interns are stuck with questions: Am I qualified for this role? How do I integrate myself into the company? What should I do to stand out?
Luckily, this blog is here to guide you through all of those worries. Coming from four people who finished summer internships (and survived), here are the four most significant takeaways that we learned the hard way:
1. Network With Anyone and EVERYONE
The best way to build your network is to be open to chatting with anyone. If there’s someone at your company whose role you would like to learn more about, or if you’re curious about how they got to where they are in their career, be bold and ask them on a networking date. Do your research and come prepared with questions centered around them and their experiences. Finally, be sure to follow up and thank your colleague for their time. These connections can be invaluable when working in the real world — you never know who they might know.
You don’t have to limit yourself to networking with higher-level employees either. Reach out and make an effort to talk with other interns in your cohort. You’d be surprised how many people you’ll run into again later in your career!
2. Find What You Are Passionate About
Internships are the perfect opportunity to find your passion. There are endless opportunities and different fields to go into, so it is essential to do something you care about. Take an internship in a new area of interest or focus on interest. If you need guidance in finding “your calling,” there are great online resources like passion profile quizzes.
Internships are your chance to explore new opportunities to figure out your direction. They last 3-6 months. In the worst-case scenario, it can show you what you do not want to pursue in the future.
3. Keep Your Curiosity Alive
“There is no such thing as a dumb question” applies now more than ever. Ask your mentors questions about their projects and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And that applies to YOUR project too. That does not imply you are not listening. Actually, it means you are ensuring that you deliver top-quality work.
Learning and growing professionally is one of the biggest parts of interning, so take advantage. Asking questions and being curious can help you stand out in your internship class and possibly help you secure that full-time job offer!
4. Do Not Stress About Asking for Extensions or Over-Communicating
This past year, we have learned that things don’t always go to plan time and time again. More than ever, companies are learning to be flexible and understanding about extraneous circumstances. Can’t make that deadline that’s coming up in two weeks? Feeling burnt out? That’s okay! Just make sure to let your supervisor know ahead of time.
Faux pas about over-communicating have been left in the past, and you should always plan to communicate more than necessary.
Try this: the next time your manager sends you an assignment, reply with a short email confirming that you received it and with a tentative return date. You’d be surprised with how much they will appreciate it.
Overall, there is only so much you can do to prepare for an internship. Remind yourself that you got the role for a reason, and all you can do is try your hardest. Your manager, co-workers, and supervisors are all there to help you — they have all been in your shoes. Make sure to remind yourself that there is a reason that you got this internship. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore your passions with relatively low stakes. Most importantly, make sure to have fun and soak up your three months in a new company!