As a college student internships are important because it gives you hands-on experience in your field of study. Some interns have complained that their internships were not as fruitful as they would have liked because the duties they were assigned had very little to do with their interests or career goals. Keep in mind that as an intern you might not receive that highly coveted position but you should still treat the internship as if it were a regular job. Before you apply for certain internships you want to know if you’ll learn the practical skills needed to enter your future career after graduation. Ask for specific examples of the work you will do. Here is how to get the most out of your internship.
See Untapped Opportunities Beyond Job Description
As an intern you should fulfill your basic responsibilities no matter how menial they are, but it doesn’t mean that you should not look for untapped opportunities that go beyond your daily tasks. If you’re invited to a staff meeting and the boss asks for suggestions on how the staff can improve customer relations, jump in the discussion and mention a few effective and realistic ways to accomplish the goal. Offer to assist coworkers on different projects and speak with your boss about your career expectations. By talking with your boss about this you give him the opportunity to create a position for you that might last even after graduation.
Be Assertive
If you believe that you’re not learning everything you should about your future career during the internship, politely mention it in private to your boss. Your boss probably has busy schedule and does not always have the time to take a sincere interest in your learning the necessary skills. This is why assertiveness is essential as an intern.
Get Some Mentors
You’ll work with the other staff members at your internship so why not take advantage of their expertise and wisdom? Meet with certain coworkers that you admire and inquire about being mentored by them. When you are mentored you learn the ins and outs of your future career and the mentors might connect you to people outside your internship for assisting you in the job search. Keep in contact with your mentors when school starts again and after graduation.