Be Successful as An Intern in My Career
Internship
An internship is an excellent opportunity to try out a career field, build skills, and potentially become employed at a company full-time after graduation
Internships are a valuable way to gain experience and network professionally. While internships are more common among high school and college students, internships can also help professionals change careers or fill gaps in their curricula. Make sure you use your internship effectively to improve your career perspectives and build your professional network. In this article, we explain what is in the internship, the importance of describing an internship, and offer tips for internship success.
From posting job offers to conduct interviews, finding an intern or potential employee can be a daunting task. It can be difficult to hire the right person with the right degrees and attributes, especially since resumes and college degrees don’t always translate into professional skills.
Here are some qualities to look for in an intern or young professional.
- Reflect on your experience
If there is no formal evaluation process, ask your manager and peers for feedback on your performance so you can know what you did well and areas that need improvement. Reflect on the skills you learned during your internship and update your CV with your experiences and achievements. Even if you decide this career field is not for you, experience is still valuable. Meet with a CCE Advisor to discuss what you’ve learned and what steps you can take to move forward on your career path. -
Set Goals
It is always a good idea to meet with your supervisor early in the internship to find out what his or her expectations of you are. If your supervisor doesn’t make an appointment with you, ask for some time to meet. What do you expect to accomplish every day? Every week? Be sure to request feedback from your supervisor to make sure you are on the right track. Finally, keep in mind what your goals are for your internship and what you would like to learn. Discuss your interests with your supervisor and ask if there are opportunities to get involved in those areas. - Keep track of your projects
Make a list of all the projects you’ve worked on so you can discuss your progress with your manager. It will also help you remember anything you’ve worked on to update your resume, add to a portfolio, or talk about in a future interview. Ask if you can save examples of projects, you’ve worked on for a portfolio. Remember that some of this information will be confidential, so always get approval before bringing copies of your work with you. - Maintain your professionalism
Make sure to stay professional during your internship. Even when you’re spending time with co-workers, keep your conversations reasonable and your demeanor professional. Remember that your internship can help you land a full-time job later, so you want to show that you are mature and ready to take on this responsibility. Be aware of how you present yourself to your colleagues and supervisors. What is the right clothing for your workplace? What is the correct email label for the person you’re addressing? If you have a concern or there is a problem that you don’t know how to deal with, who is the most appropriate contact person? And don’t forget the basics of common courtesy: be on time, say thank you, contact us, and follow up. - Watch and learn
Understanding and acting in accordance with an organization’s culture is important when moving elsewhere. Observe and seek advice from your peers and peers. What are the routines of the organization? Of people? Read all organizational materials, policies, procedures, etc. If appropriate, ask to attend meetings or shadow other employees to learn more about the ins and outs of the business.
The internship was a useful experience. I have to find out what my strengths and weaknesses are; I acquired new knowledge and skills and met many new people and achieved many of my learning goals.
