Part of the appeal of an internship is the opportunity to parlay it into something bigger and better. For some students, an internship is a necessity for a class, earning an advanced degree or finding a job in the industry. For other students, it’s a way to network and get your foot in the door of a company. The latter group often hopes their time as interns also serves as an extended audition for the company that could become a job. I’d imagine any student, especially now, would like to have a job lined up before graduation rolls around–if not sooner.
Dr. Joanne G. Sujansky, CSP, and Dr. Jan Ferri-Reed have written a new book that can help you out. It’s titled The Millennials: Why Companies Are Losing Billions in Turnover to This Generation-And What to Do about It. Millennials, also known as Generation Y-ers, are up against some stiff competition from other job seekers of all ages, and Sujansky and Ferri-Reed have some tips for interns looking to make the most of their stints.
Some of these tips might work for you, some might not. Once you know your company’s culture and your boss’s work style, work with them to bolster your credentials and become a better worker. Here are what Sujansky and Ferri-Reed suggest:
Find opportunities to expand your experience when interning (offer to help in other areas if you have completed your assignments, tactfully make recommendations or give suggestions when you see an opportunity to improve or enhance something, volunteer to do “extra” duties, etc.)
Keep a daily journal to reflect your activities and accomplishments for each day
Ask for feedback – formal reviews on what you have done well and what you can enhance
Conduct more research on the company – find out how the company makes money and indicate how you may be able to make a further contribution
Find someone that you respect, observe how he/she does business, ask for advice or feedback from that person on what you can do to make a stronger impact
Ask colleagues for others in the organization that may want to meet you and to know about your skills – or others who may be interested in providing you with career advice
Capture your accomplishments by updating your resume
If you’re currently interning or have had experienced in this field, share your thoughts with us! Have you seen any of these tips work for someone?
Great article! Finding a mentor or someone you respect in the field you are entering is extremely valuable. I am currently pursuing an opportunity and my mentor is a huge supporter and has given me great advice. A fantastic reference from someone on the inside goes a long way.
Thanks!