An internship is one of the best opportunities you will ever have to develop professionally while also figuring out which career path you want to follow. They are the quickest and most effective way to get yourself onto the career ladder, hone your skills, build up your resume and network with successful professionals. There are many things you can do to maximize your learning and get the most out of your time interning. Here’s a quick list of ways to take advantage of every opportunity you come across:
Many companies will appoint interns a mentor however if yours doesn’t, it’s a good idea to find one. This shows that you’re willing to learn from someone with a greater experience about the industry. It shows you’re not afraid to ask questions and are willing to learn as much as possible, showing your initiative and forward thinking.
Asking for regular feedback will let you know the areas you need to improve on. You will be able to grow professionally and improve at a much faster rate if you know what skills you need to work on and exactly what your goals should be. By asking for regular feedback you will also portray yourself as a conscientious individual who is willing to take advantage of all the opportunities available to you. Your colleagues will respect you more if you take your internship seriously.
It’s a good idea to write down all the tasks you’ve ever completed while interning. This will give you a better idea of how much you’ve learnt and how much you have improved during your time there. It will also make it easier for you to tailor the description of your internship in your resume. You will be able to easily pick out the projects which you feel showed your initiative and talent most. Many people will be surprised at the amount of work they have actually completed and it can be quite rewarding to see exactly what you have accomplished!
Although an internship isn’t a permanent job and doesn’t come with full responsibilities, its good practice to act as if it does. Not only is it good practice for the future but it will show your colleagues and your boss that you are a reliable and forward thinking person who wants to get the most out of your internship. This means things like not showing up late, dressing smartly, being polite and taking your tasks seriously. Always try your best on a project and if you feel something’s too hard, talk it through with your mentor and try to come up with a solution.
We’ve all heard ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’. Internships are often the first chance you’ll have to start networking in the working world. You’ll have many chances to meet successful professionals at business events so make sure you make a good first impression and always follow up with an email to keep in touch.
Apply now for an international internship with The Intern Group!
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Photo 1. by Startup Stock Photos, CC0