How to Succeed in an Internship
by Lindsey Pollak Monday, January 26, 2009
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Lindsey Pollak is a bestselling author, speaker and consultant with over a decade of experience providing advice and ideas to young professionals and the organizations that hire them. She is the author of Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World and writes a top-rated blog, the Lindsey Pollak Career Blog. She is also the Career Contributor to ABC News on Campus. Her advice and opinions have appeared in such media outlets as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, CNN.com, National Public Radio and ABC News America This Morning.
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As spring break approaches, many college students are making plans for summer internships. As I’ve blogged about previously, internships are more important for young professionals than ever. Thanks to Heather Huhman, of the Entry Level Careers Examiner, for sharing eight of my tips for internship achievement.
1. Learn how work is different from school. Of course, the most exciting difference between college and the real world is the fact that you get a paycheck instead of grades. However, there are a few other changes an internship can help you adjust to. For instance, missing a deadline has major consequences. As an intern you’re supporting full-time employees whose jobs are their livelihoods—there’s no room for messing around with projects they’re relying on. Furthermore, your work as an intern could directly impact the bottom line of the organization you’re working for, particularly if you’re dealing directly with clients or customers. Your professionalism is not requested; it’s required. (Or you might get fired.)
2. Step outside your comfort zone. Internships are a great time to take risks, face your fears, and challenge yourself to try some big new things.
3. Be proactive. Asking, “What is a good thing for me to work on when you’re busy and I have nothing specific to do?” shows that you are a go-getter who wants to contribute and learn as much as possible. And, you may get assigned a cool project that no one else was smart enough to ask for—something that you can highlight on your résumé and promote in future job interviews. Remember, raising an internship from the “busy work/no experience” level to the “real experience” level is in your hands.
4. Read what you file (with permission!). You don’t want to snoop through confidential contracts or legal records — but if you get approval, this is a shrewd strategy.
5. Set up informational interviews. While you’re at an organization in the role of intern, you have a rare opportunity for face-time with people you otherwise might not be able to meet. Check with your internship coordinator to make sure it’s appropriate, then pinpoint a few people in the organization whose jobs interest you and ask them to meet with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to shoot fish in a barrel—during an internship you are literally surrounded by informational interview prospects! If you can, you should also set up a meeting with someone in the human resources department to talk about future full-time job opportunities—this is a golden lead for your first post-college job.
6. Network with your fellow interns. Network with your peers, not just your higher-ups. In addition to chatting during work hours, try to attend as many after-work events and informal get-togethers as possible. These people are great contacts; you never know where your fellow interns are going to end up someday—or who else they know right now. Since you ended up at the same internship, your fellow interns must share some common interests with you. So, ask them what other careers, companies, internships or opportunities they’re considering or have pursued already. This can be a great source of ideas and contacts for you. And, if you’re intimidated by the general idea of networking, it’s often easier to practice this skill with your peers than with more senior people.
7. Collect reference letters. Don’t assume future employers will take your word for the fact that you gained valuable experience and skills during your internship—get proof! Ask your internship supervisor and any other professionals with whom you work to write reference letters for you to keep on file for your future career pursuits. Ask people to write letters on company letterhead written “To Whom it May Concern,” so you can use the letters for various purposes. (In the future when you know where you’ll be applying for jobs, you can re-contact these people for more personalized letters.)
When you ask for such letters, remind your internship supervisor what you’ve achieved over the course of your internship—projects completed, results achieved, departments you’ve interacted with, events you attended, and any other significant experiences or contributions. Putting together such a reminder list will also serve to help you when you add this internship to your professional résumé. Make a copy of your note and any reference letters you’re able to collect and put them in a folder in your filing system. It’s a good idea to keep reference letters in a plastic folder or sleeve so they stay in good condition.
8. Keep in touch. Supervisors, employees, fellow interns, everyone you meet through your internship are now relationships and should be added to your contact database. Here’s my recommended way of adding people you meet during your internship to your network: ask them! Simply say towards the end of your stint, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and working with you during my internship. May I keep in touch with you in the future and check in with you once in a while?” Most likely people will say yes, and they’ll appreciate the respectfulness of your asking. Then, send each person a hello note or e-mail within a month of ending your internship (just to say hello and prove you really do want to keep in contact) and then drop an email or note about twice a year—perhaps once during the December holidays and once in May when classes end.
Lindsey Pollak is a bestselling author, speaker and consultant with over a decade of experience providing advice and ideas to young professionals and the organizations that hire them.
She is the author of Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World and writes a top-rated blog, the Lindsey Pollak Career Blog . She is also the Career Contributor to ABC News on Campus .
Lindsey contributes career columns to FastCompany.com and Huffington Post . Her advice and opinions have appeared in such media outlets as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, CNN.com, National Public Radio and ABC News America This Morning.
Lindsey’s professional speaking includes frequent keynote speeches and seminar presentations at universities, conferences and corporations around the country. Her audiences have included Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Amherst, Duke, MIT, Smith, University of Michigan, University of Texas, USC, Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, MTV Networks, Time Inc. and many others.
She is a graduate of Yale University and received a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to Melbourne, Australia, where she completed a master’s degree in women’s studies.
1. Learn how work is different from school. Of course, the most exciting difference between college and the real world is the fact that you get a paycheck instead of grades. However, there are a few other changes an internship can help you adjust to. For instance, missing a deadline has major consequences. As an intern you’re supporting full-time employees whose jobs are their livelihoods—there’s no room for messing around with projects they’re relying on. Furthermore, your work as an intern could directly impact the bottom line of the organization you’re working for, particularly if you’re dealing directly with clients or customers. Your professionalism is not requested; it’s required. (Or you might get fired.)
2. Step outside your comfort zone. Internships are a great time to take risks, face your fears, and challenge yourself to try some big new things.
3. Be proactive. Asking, “What is a good thing for me to work on when you’re busy and I have nothing specific to do?” shows that you are a go-getter who wants to contribute and learn as much as possible. And, you may get assigned a cool project that no one else was smart enough to ask for—something that you can highlight on your résumé and promote in future job interviews. Remember, raising an internship from the “busy work/no experience” level to the “real experience” level is in your hands.
4. Read what you file (with permission!). You don’t want to snoop through confidential contracts or legal records — but if you get approval, this is a shrewd strategy.
5. Set up informational interviews. While you’re at an organization in the role of intern, you have a rare opportunity for face-time with people you otherwise might not be able to meet. Check with your internship coordinator to make sure it’s appropriate, then pinpoint a few people in the organization whose jobs interest you and ask them to meet with you. Don’t miss this opportunity to shoot fish in a barrel—during an internship you are literally surrounded by informational interview prospects! If you can, you should also set up a meeting with someone in the human resources department to talk about future full-time job opportunities—this is a golden lead for your first post-college job.
6. Network with your fellow interns. Network with your peers, not just your higher-ups. In addition to chatting during work hours, try to attend as many after-work events and informal get-togethers as possible. These people are great contacts; you never know where your fellow interns are going to end up someday—or who else they know right now. Since you ended up at the same internship, your fellow interns must share some common interests with you. So, ask them what other careers, companies, internships or opportunities they’re considering or have pursued already. This can be a great source of ideas and contacts for you. And, if you’re intimidated by the general idea of networking, it’s often easier to practice this skill with your peers than with more senior people.
7. Collect reference letters. Don’t assume future employers will take your word for the fact that you gained valuable experience and skills during your internship—get proof! Ask your internship supervisor and any other professionals with whom you work to write reference letters for you to keep on file for your future career pursuits. Ask people to write letters on company letterhead written “To Whom it May Concern,” so you can use the letters for various purposes. (In the future when you know where you’ll be applying for jobs, you can re-contact these people for more personalized letters.)
When you ask for such letters, remind your internship supervisor what you’ve achieved over the course of your internship—projects completed, results achieved, departments you’ve interacted with, events you attended, and any other significant experiences or contributions. Putting together such a reminder list will also serve to help you when you add this internship to your professional résumé. Make a copy of your note and any reference letters you’re able to collect and put them in a folder in your filing system. It’s a good idea to keep reference letters in a plastic folder or sleeve so they stay in good condition.
8. Keep in touch. Supervisors, employees, fellow interns, everyone you meet through your internship are now relationships and should be added to your contact database. Here’s my recommended way of adding people you meet during your internship to your network: ask them! Simply say towards the end of your stint, “I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and working with you during my internship. May I keep in touch with you in the future and check in with you once in a while?” Most likely people will say yes, and they’ll appreciate the respectfulness of your asking. Then, send each person a hello note or e-mail within a month of ending your internship (just to say hello and prove you really do want to keep in contact) and then drop an email or note about twice a year—perhaps once during the December holidays and once in May when classes end.
Lindsey Pollak is a bestselling author, speaker and consultant with over a decade of experience providing advice and ideas to young professionals and the organizations that hire them.
She is the author of Getting from College to Career: 90 Things to Do Before You Join the Real World and writes a top-rated blog, the Lindsey Pollak Career Blog . She is also the Career Contributor to ABC News on Campus .
Lindsey contributes career columns to FastCompany.com and Huffington Post . Her advice and opinions have appeared in such media outlets as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, CNN.com, National Public Radio and ABC News America This Morning.
Lindsey’s professional speaking includes frequent keynote speeches and seminar presentations at universities, conferences and corporations around the country. Her audiences have included Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Amherst, Duke, MIT, Smith, University of Michigan, University of Texas, USC, Fidelity Investments, Merrill Lynch, MTV Networks, Time Inc. and many others.
She is a graduate of Yale University and received a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to Melbourne, Australia, where she completed a master’s degree in women’s studies.