How to make the most of your internship - Glassdoor Blog

If you think an internship means fetching coffee and dry cleaning for pennies on the dollar, think again. Internships have evolved, but one thing hasn’t changed. They continue to offer students a chance to get hands-on experience, learn an industry, build new skills, form valuable relationships, and set themselves apart in the job market.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers found that an internship with an organization or within its industry is one of the most influential factors when employers are choosing between similar candidates. Plus, numerous studies show that students who complete internships before graduating tend to find employment more quickly than students who don’t. 

But simply showing up for an internship doesn’t do much for you — other than giving you a new line or two for your resume. Your internship is the most meaningful (not to mention impressive) when you’re prepared to squeeze every drop of value out of the opportunity.

Here are a few expert tips to make the most of an internship.

Define what success means to you

“An internship is so much more than just the money you get and the line you get on that resume,” explains Gorick Ng, Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of The Unspoken Rules.

But exactly what “more” means is unique to you — and it’s important to understand what you’re trying to get out of the experience so you can work toward it throughout your internship. Do you want a full-time job offer? A return internship? A grad school recommendation letter? A mentorship relationship? Something else? 

Ng encourages students to think about the potential value of their internship with three questions:

When you can define what you want, don’t keep it to yourself. Be vocal about your expectations and ambitions so that others around you — your manager, mentor, and team members — can support you in getting there. After all, you don’t get what you don’t ask for.

Show initiative

As an intern, it’s tempting to keep quiet in your corner out of fear of stepping on someone’s toes or getting something wrong. However, Ng says that’s the exact opposite of what students should be doing during internships.

“The most important thing you can do is show that you want to help and show that you want to learn,” he says. That means doing your research, asking thoughtful questions, volunteering for projects and opportunities, and soliciting feedback about your performance. 

Put simply, you can’t sit back and wait for somebody to drag you through your internship. Show some drive and gumption.

Build relationships

Internships can feel intimidating. You’re typically one of the youngest employees on staff, and you lack the experience and firsthand knowledge that the other people around you have.

But here’s the thing: You stand to benefit from all of the knowledge and experience around you, provided you strike up those bonds. Don’t wait for somebody else to do that for you with a quick introduction or an intern luncheon — you can build those relationships yourself.

Do some research using company resources, and view Glassdoor reviews to get a better sense of different functions within the organization. Take notes about people you’d like to learn from as well as what you already have in common, and then reach out directly to introduce yourself, ask a few questions, and generally lay the foundation for a positive professional relationship.

Keep it professional

Sometimes the simplest advice makes the biggest difference  — and that’s especially true when it comes to your internship. To command respect, you need to conduct yourself professionally including: 

While that may not be groundbreaking advice, it never hurts to return to the basic tips for internships to ensure you’re checking those crucial boxes.

End on a high note

At the end of an internship, you don’t want to just collect your final paycheck and ride off into the sunset. Use your goodbyes as a way to leave your mark. 

“Make sure you express your gratitude to anyone that you have come across, that you’ve worked with, or that you’ve had a positive encounter with because you want to be seen, you want to be heard, and you want to be remembered,” Ng says. 

Grab a pack of “thank you” cards and write a personalized, handwritten note to each person who had an impact on you and your internship. In your note, genuinely share your appreciation for their guidance and involvement. 

On your last day, it’s also smart to send a final group email to your entire team or department. Thank them again, provide a quick update about what’s next for you, and include your contact information for anyone who wants to keep in touch.

Stay top of mind

Staying in touch is one of the best ways to maximize the impact of your internship. Those connections you worked so hard to build won’t do you any good if you let them slowly fade.

Ng mentions that there are two different ways to stay in touch: passively and actively. You can stay in touch passively by connecting on LinkedIn. It’s a little lower pressure but still provides people an opportunity to easily find you — and vice versa. 

Staying in touch actively is more direct and personalized. Periodically reach out with an email to people with whom you built the strongest connections. Share information (like an article you read or a podcast episode you listened to) or even provide an update about what you’ve been up to. 

When it comes to internship advice, so much emphasis is placed on building relationships — but remember that maintaining them is just as crucial for your career success.

How valuable is your internship? You decide.

It’s tempting to think that you’re along for the ride in your internship as if you don’t have a say and need to follow the lead of your employer. But the students who make the most of their internships recognize that they’re in the driver’s seat (or, at the very least, are the co-pilot).

“Your internship is a chance to explore, it’s a chance to learn,” says Ng. But ultimately, you’re the deciding factor on how much of that you actually do — and the tips above will help you truly make the most of the opportunity.

Ready to jump in? Find your ideal internship.