How to Get the Most Out of Your Internship
By Katie Knipper
An internship can be one of the most valuable experiences you’ll have when it comes to building your resume while finishing your education.
The exponential knowledge growth between early college and a few years into the professional world becomes the foundation for the rest of your career. Hiring managers want to see candidates who not only have previous experience (such as from an internship), but can speak to the ways that experience will help them in their future role.
In other words, the experience of an internship isn't enough to set you apart as a job candidate; you need to know how to truly take advantage of your time as an intern. I've experienced two sides of internships—first, as an editorial intern at local media publications during college and now as a full-time employee overseeing my agency's internship program. I know what it takes to get the most out of an internship. Here are a few things you need to do.
How to make the most of a college internship
Ask for constructive feedback
During your internship, and especially when it's coming to a close, schedule a performance review with your supervisor. Go to the meeting prepared with questions to find out your strengths and what skills need improvement. Once you’ve identified areas you need to improve on, ask what mastering those tasks would look like and how you can start working towards that. If you have questions about the industry or what future employers are looking for, now is the time to ask. This meeting is often the culmination of your learning experience, so make the most of it.
Stay in touch with your supervisor and colleagues
Networking is incredibly important in the professional world. The people you are forming relationships with now may be the ones recommending you for jobs in the future, as well as connecting you with mentors and sending client referrals. Connect with colleagues on LinkedIn, celebrate their wins, and don’t be afraid to ask for their help when you need it. These people at one time were also looking for jobs, so they can be a great resource on how to transition from college to a career.
Update your resume and portfolio
You already know the importance of a good resume. In addition, it’s important to have a readily accessible collection of your past work for potential employers to look at. This may include writing samples, presentations you've worked on, social media posts (and their analytics), or research projects you've contributed to—either in your classes or during your internship.
Consider building a personal website with all of these items linked with your contact information, or you can create a file that can be shared with hiring managers. This takes some work on the front end, but having everything together ahead of time will save you time during the application process.
Remember LinkedIn
It’s arguably the least fun social media platform, but LinkedIn has the potential to be a game changer in building your professional footprint and leading you to new opportunities. List the specific tasks you completed during your internship, using active words like “managed," "created," and "maintained.” You can also use LinkedIn to keep up with companies you’d like to work for one day.
Keep up with industry news
Stay on top of industry news and trends by following the social media of industry publications. For example, if you’ve always been interested in working in fashion, follow trade publications like Business of Fashion or Vogue Business; for music, look to Rolling Stone, Billboard, and Pitchfork. Take it a step further by keeping up with trade publications that cover business news, such as AI’s impact on an industry. By keeping up with news and trends, you'll already be ahead of the curve when you land your first job.
Say thank you
After all this, remember to say—and maybe even handwrite—a thank-you note to your supervisor and colleagues for taking the time to teach you skills in their industry. Maintaining a positive relationship with prior managers and colleagues is an essential part of your career journey as you apply for new jobs since they can provide you with letters of recommendation regarding how you work.
FAQs about the getting the most out of an internship
What should I hope to gain from an internship?
Internships are opportunities to strengthen the skills you'll need in a future career path and learn what you do and don't like about the industry and individual organization you're working with. This is a time to assess your personal goals and how they line up with the role you're working toward.
What are some benefits of completing an internship?
Internships allow you to explore the career path you're working toward. They can also teach you valuable skills and information about the industry you're pursuing that won't necessarily be taught in a formal classroom setting.
What is the main purpose of an internship?
Internships are opportunities to improve your skills under the guidance of someone experienced in the career path you're pursuing. Your internship experience should be added to your professional resume for future employers to see your experience in your chosen industry.
About the Author
Post by: Katie Knipper
Katie Knipper is a senior account executive and oversees internships at Lexington Public Relations, a Seattle and Nashville-based PR and content marketing agency that builds brands and reputations through the power of storytelling. Originally from central Florida, Katie graduated from Belmont University in May 2020 and continues to call Nashville home. When she’s not storytelling for clients, you can find her at ballet classes, cooking for friends, or supporting local musicians.
Company: Lexington Public Relations
Website:
www.lexingtonpr.com
Connect with me on
LinkedIn.
