Summer has begun, you just landed the coolest internship ever, and you are pumped to get started! It’s never too early to start thinking about how to get organized for success, create meaningful connections with your team, and take advantage of resources and events just for interns. Here are five ways to make sure that you make the most of your summer internship!
Let’s Get Organized
Before your internship begins, it’s important that you understand your work style and have an organization plan for yourself. Everyone has different methods when it comes to getting organized: Do you prefer to write everything down on a paper calendar or to keep track of tasks on your phone? Is your workspace simple, quiet, and free from distraction? Do you prefer to work in office settings or coffee shops?
Regardless of your style, there are tons of things you can do to feel fully prepared for your internship.
- Schedule it: Make it a habit to immediately add all of your tasks and meetings to your calendar or to the schedule app on your phone. This will keep you up-to-date with important deadlines and meetings for the upcoming week.
- Find your space: Working from home as an intern? Map out your work space. Think about details like buying a desk or working from your dining room table. Keeping things like your notebook, laptop charger, tons of pens, and post-its notes in your space will also help you stay on track!
- Set an alarm: Setting alarms to track how long it takes you to complete tasks is a sure way to tell you that you are working efficiently and aren’t allowing yourself to be distracted. You can set a two hour alarm to get your tasks done, and then set a shorter one to allow yourself time for a break!
- Utilize your down time: When you have free time, use it! You can start researching or working on your next project, even if it’s in a small way. Try preparing the files you may need and having them ready on your computer screen for the next day. It’s a great way to set yourself up for success!
Set Up Informational Interviews or a Coffee Chat
Is there someone in your organization that you’d love to learn more about? With many companies choosing to continue working from home right now, it can be hard to forge one-on-one connections and learn about other people who work outside of your department.
Send an email to the person you’d like to connect with, and invite them to a virtual coffee chat.
Our best advice? Keep it short and sweet, and have a clear goal in mind: Maybe you want to learn about their career path; maybe you’re interested in getting some advice on how to successfully complete a certain task. Coffee chats are great to build meaningful relationships with those in your organization!
Take Advantage of Free Events and Conferences
Many companies have access to virtual and in-person webinars, conferences, and networking events! These are great opportunities to represent your company and connect with other organizations.
Think about reaching out to your managerial team and seeing if there are events happening this summer that you would be able to attend. If your company doesn’t offer any, find one that is focused on your specific industry or department, and ask your employer if they would be willing to sponsor a ticket (if it isn’t free!).
Bonus: Campus Philly has a FREE event coming up just for interns like you!
July 14: How to Make The Most of Your Summer Internship
Join us for a special lunchtime conversation, hosted by Ayannah Kamryn, on how to make the most of your summer internship, with someone who turned their internship into a full-time job, and will share some key advice to how YOU can do the same. Sign up today!
Be Open to New Opportunities Within the Company
One of the best advantages of being an intern is that you are in a position to learn so much! Being open to new opportunities within the company is a sure way to gain experience, and get you noticed as a go-getter in your office.
If your employer needs someone to volunteer for a project, raise your hand! Maybe the team is looking for someone to make a few extra calls to clients—what better way to learn about the clients’ needs? Jump on new opportunities when they arise, and you’ll be sure to get an incomparable experience that you can add to your resume.
Ask Questions
We know that starting a new internship can come with some nervousness. Plus, if you are working from home it can be even harder to fully understand the company’s culture and work practices.
One of the simplest ways to avoid confusion and uncertainty in your new role is to ask questions! Your employer does not expect you to know everything. In fact, they anticipate that it will take you some time to fully understand the company and the culture there.
This means you should ask as many questions as possible! Employers welcome all kinds of questions, and it shows your initiative to learn.
What’s next? Follow us on Instagram for event updates on How to Make The Most of Your Summer Internship. Plus, check out our past career events, loaded with advice from tons of young professionals working in the city!
