Most of us consider an Internship as something just interim in your career and we tend to be in the background. But there are ways in which you can actually make a mark, shine in your internship and make it the stepping stone to a great career. After all, the entire point of an Internship is to get some valuable experience and attain contacts which might eventually lead you to great job prospects. Then again, all this can be possible only if you as an Intern create a lasting impression. So how do you do this? Well, read on –
Come prepared – Before you even start your internship, you can contact your supervisor/superior and find out what you can do to prepare yourself for the first day. This kind of initiative will tell him/her how serious you are and that you are prepared to go that extra mile.
Know your superiors – Every supervisor/superior has their own style of working or flow. Hence it is important that you get familiar with this. This way, you can anticipate their requirements. This will help you become faster with any kind of official demands; you can assist better and make yourself an asset right from the start.
Communication – Before you begin the internship you need to know the learning goals, the terms of hours and so on. You could even negotiate if required. This way you would be on the same page as your boss. As the internship moves on, you need to ensure that your goals and requirements are being met and that any concerns are addressed as and when. Towards the end, you need to also ensure that you pursue any potential opportunities of learning.
Take efforts and go beyond – As an intern you need to take some initiative. Instead of asking your peers or boss to clarify every little doubt or query, you need to use your own talents and skills. Do your own research and fill in the gaps, find out details on your own. This will make your superiors appreciate you and they would not be irritated by frequent disturbances in their own busy schedules.
Mingle and get to know everyone – Yes, this is a temporary position but it would still be a good idea to get to mingle and know others in the organization. Whether they are a part of your department or not it is advisable that you get to know maximum number of people. That way, they remember you and recognize you. You never know how that can come in handy for you and might ensure you as a permanent fixture in the workplace.
Keep asking – Once you are done with the task given to you, please do not waste your time. You need to approach your superiors and ask for another task or see if you can be helpful in other ways. This kind of initiative would show that you are interested, hardworking and would give others a good impression.
The best way to create a good impression is to not act like a typical intern; rather be a part of the team. Think of it as an actual job and work like you love it.
