This great article was found on Temple’s Fox School of Business blog “Opportunity Knocks.” I hope you find it helpful as you wrap up your semester and begin to prepare for the summer. If you have an internship these tips will be good to keep in mind!
Internships are considered the Key to Career Success. If you look at an internship as an extended interview you will understand how important it is to maximize your internship experience.
Below are 4 main goals for your internship.
- Develop new skills
Exhibit a can do attitude. Pass the attitude test and you are on your way to success. Take on with enthusiasm, ANY task assigned, no matter how small. Take the initiative to acquire new skills. Take your assignments seriously and build a reputation for being dependable, diligent and accurate in your work. You may encounter ambiguity in the work environment, so seek direction and ask questions. Also, set realistic goals and expectations! A learning agenda is what distinguishes a short-term job from an internship. This is a critical element, often times overlooked. Determine with your supervisor the specific skills and competencies you wish to acquire. IT IS UP TO YOU to establish a correlation between your learning goals and daily tasks. Maintain a journal of activities and accomplishments and seek regular reviews from your supervisor to assess your performance. - Show your capabilities
Assume that everyone knows m ore than you do, however, do not be afraid to offer useful ideas that may save time or money or solve problems. Employers greatly value assertiveness but not aggressiveness. Learn how to properly address colleagues and customers, and maintain a pleasant and respectful demeanor with others. Be a team player. Learn how your assignments fit into the grand scheme of things and keep a keen eye on getting the job done. Success if often defined by your ability to get along with and interact with others. You’re a winner only if your team wins in the working world. - Learn about the company
Get to know co-workers early in your internship. These colleagues will help you quickly “figure out” the culture. Being the “new kid” is like being a freshman- you will need to adapt, observe, learn and process a large volume of information. Watch closely how things get done, ask questions and pay attention to how people interact with eachother. Also, get a mentor. Identify at least one individual to serve as your mentor that is willing to take a personal interest in your professional development. Ask other seasoned employers to share knowledge, perspectives, and insight. Get noticed- many more people thant you are first realize will have a role in determing your future. - Assess “fit” between you and the company
Understand the company so if a full time job offer is presented to you, you can make an intelligent and well thought out decision on your fit within the organization. Remember to take into account:
Friendly or formal environment?
Team based or independent working environment?
Structured or loose culture?
How are decisions made?
How are employees valued?
What types of attributes gain recognition?
What professional development opportunites are available?
What is the work/life balance?
There are a lot of things to think about on an internship but most importantly…have fun!
Original posting can be found here
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