Steps to take to maximize your internship experience for your professional development and long-term growth
Congratulations on completing your internship! Whether this is your first or your fourth internship, it’s important to finish with intention so you maximize the experience, even in the final days. What you gain from your internships isn’t only from the work you completed – it’s also from the relationships built and the reflection you take to learn and grow from the experience. Here are some tips to help you smoothly wrap up your internship.
Reflect on your internship experience and what you gained
The power of your internship experiences lies in the reflections that influence your next steps in your career.
Take time to reflect on what you learned and document your reflections somewhere you can easily refer to in the future. Here are some areas to focus on:
Industry or position knowledge
What did you learn about this industry? What did you learn technically or generally about the position or team you were a part of?
Take stock of your skills
What skills did you use, strengthen, and gain from this experience? What projects, leadership experiences, tasks, or responsibilities were impactful from your internship? What is the quantitative information regarding outcomes and impact you made? Quantifying your performance provides specificity for the hiring professional who is reading your resume.
Career journey
How do you see this experience contributing to your career journey? Did it confirm the path you’re on? Did it make you want to adjust and pivot? What do you hope to focus on next?
Growth
What surprised you about the experience or about yourself? How were you challenged during this internship and how did you grow from those challenges? What have you realized about yourself through this experience?
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your internship experience
After reflecting on your internship experience, update your resume and LinkedIn with your new gained experience, skills, and projects. It’s best to do this sooner rather than later, while the experience is fresh in your mind and while you have access to potential quantitative information related to outcomes and impact you have made.
Ask for feedback during your internship
Before you depart, be proactive in setting aside time with your internship supervisor to gather feedback, especially if your internship doesn’t have a formal review process at the end of it. Not only is receiving feedback in this setting good practice, it’s also a unique opportunity to lean into your growth – the guidance you receive can be invaluable and one of the best ways to learn. Here are some suggested questions to ask:
- Could you provide specific feedback about my performance and work habits? What do you perceive as my strengths and areas of improvement?
- Are there any specific skills or types of experiences I should focus on to be more competitive for entry-level jobs or in this industry?
- What experiences, classes, or resources would you recommend I pursue to enhance my skills?
Remember, try to be specific, professional, and coachable during opportunities for feedback. Come to those conversations prepared and always express appreciation for their time and insight.
Ask for references and recommendations from your internship
Though you might not currently be working on job applications for other opportunities, it’s good to ask your internship supervisor if they would be open to being a reference or write you a letter of recommendation for you in the future for internship programs, leadership opportunities, or jobs. Asking now, while your relationship is fresh in their mind and strong, can only help. Keep in mind when a job asks for references, it is common courtesy to let your references know in advance to expect to be contacted by the hiring team.
Continue investing in social capital beyond your internship
Just because your internship is over, doesn’t mean that the relationships you built are. Internships are a powerful way to build your network and social capital (the value that comes from positive connections with people). To maximize your experience, it’s important to stay connected with the people you built relationships with.
Send a thank you note
Start with your supervisor and teammates. If you feel compelled, send a thank you to other staff you connected with. An email will suffice with extra points for handwritten notes. This is an opportunity to express gratitude, share your reflections, and the desire to stay in touch.
Connect on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is an easy way to stay connected to folks. Definitely add team members and people you worked with directly. Connections like these can lead to references, uncovering other opportunities, connecting with other industry professionals, etc.
Ask and give endorsements and recommendations on LinkedIn
When connecting with folks on LinkedIn, ask if they could endorse skills used during your internship and write a recommendation. Always offer to do the same for them.
Ask for informational interviews
Didn’t get a chance to meet with someone in a role you admire? Before too much time passes (within two months of your last day), set up an informational interview with them. Having an employer in common makes for an easy point of entry when asking if they’d be up to an informational interview.
Foster relationships
Whether it’s a mentor from your internship, a former supervisor, or a fellow intern, quality relationships require effort. Relationships that felt particularly impactful should be poured into. Set up a future coffee chat, lunch, or catch-up session.
Long-term planning
If you might be interested in working for this employer in the future, discuss a potential return. Don’t be afraid to tell your supervisor your hopes to return for a future internship or full-time position. In the meantime, find ways to stay connected. This could be attending their events – career fairs, info sessions, panels – or engaging with their content on LinkedIn.
Say goodbye
Beyond your supervisor and team, it’s important to officially say goodbye and create closure. This can happen during your last week of your internship. Find time for goodbye conversations, even if they’re short and sweet.
Congratulations again on completing your internship! Part of making the most of your experience is to reflect, learn as much as you can, and continue nurturing the relationships you built. All these things can help you keep momentum in your career journey and give you the best chance for whatever you embark on next.
