Originally published on spacecoastdaily.com.
Internships are a great way for students to gain hands-on experience and prepare themselves for their future careers. However, interns’ limited time at a company means they need to make the most of their opportunities.
Prioritize Professionalism
The start of an internship can be daunting for any newbie in the professional world, but it’s essential to make a good first impression. Interns must be mindful of their presentation and professionally conduct themselves. Observing the attire and demeanor of other professionals in the workplace can be an excellent way to gauge appropriate work etiquette.
However, before that, starting the internship with a professional mindset that requires punctuality, common courtesy, and a commitment to follow through on tasks and communication is essential. Professional communication is also crucial and involves appropriate language in all forms of communication, including email, text, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations.
Connect with Co-Workers
Workplaces have their unique organizational culture; as an intern, understanding the culture can help you forge stronger connections with your colleagues. Observing and learning from the people around you can help enhance your professional skills, such as being culturally competent, adaptable, an active listener, and an effective team player.
Asking thoughtful and genuine questions to work professionals during your internship can help you build valuable relationships and connect with mentors who can guide you in your career. Establishing professional connections during an internship can help you create a robust professional network, giving you a head start in your career journey.
Exercise Time Management
Internships are a platform for budding professionals to showcase their work ethic and stand out among their peers. Time management is one of the critical skills that young interns can develop during their internships.
The key to success is to show up on time for a meeting, a workday, or a deadline. Punctuality is not just a valuable attribute but also a fundamental quality that professionals from various sectors deem necessary for interns. As internships are usually brief, showing up on time every time can go a long way in building a habit that can last a lifetime.
Go Beyond Assigned Tasks
In the competitive world of internships, standing out from the crowd can be daunting. However, you can set yourself apart as a standout intern by embracing a strong work ethic and exceeding expectations. Start by completing all assigned tasks with exceptional attention to detail and thoroughness, leaving no room for error. Then, take the initiative by seeking out additional responsibilities and proactively taking on more work. This showcases your ability to handle a heavier workload and demonstrates your commitment to the organization’s success. You can make a lasting impression and build a solid foundation for a successful career by going above and beyond in your role.
Establish Milestones
Attaining success is all about having a clear vision, and setting achievable milestones during an internship can offer the needed clarity. Milestones can assist in defining daily and monthly objectives that an intern can work towards during the given time.
Splitting the internship duration into three quarters and setting a target to achieve by the end of each is advisable to avoid feeling overwhelmed. It is crucial to determine the steps that need to be taken every day and week to achieve the set milestones to remain focused and on track toward success.
Meet Bryn Carden
Bryn Carden is a young entrepreneur and philanthropist with a passion for real estate and design. She is currently studying at Neeley School of Business, pursuing a major in Finance with a Real Estate Concentration.
Besides working towards her degree, she has already begun her entrepreneurial journey as a co-founder of BF Hats and a creator of Styles for Smiles – a company selling bracelets to help fund cleft palate operations for children in developing countries.