Whether it’s a semester tackling a huge project or a summer spent in the mail room, internships will always turn out to be more than just added words on your resume. Internships allow you to make the necessary connections, add another reference to your group, and give you the opportunity to leave a direct impression on workforce stakeholders. In any situation, check out how to handle any possible outcome with your internship.
The Internship Leading Nowhere:
Though internships don’t always lead to a guaranteed job, it’s always imperative to find out if there are full-time opportunities available to strive towards. Having this piece of information can help you gauge your approach towards the spent time at the company.
If you find that job opportunities are unavailable, do your best to take in as much information as possible. Ask around about career paths, successful tips and tricks that they found helpful during their employment, and how the company or department functions.
Regardless if future opportunities are available or not, make that lasting impression. You never know when a position will open up and you’ll want to be at the top of their list when it does.
The “This Could Work Out” Internship:
It’s completely acceptable to be unsure of what direction you want to take with your career during the beginning (or end) of your internship. Many times, this is what internships will help you figure out. In either situation, take some time to ask questions about your role and your industry.
If you want to get a better feel on a certain position, talk to your boss or director about more tasks or assignments that would help clarify daily duties in that role. Be willing to take on all types of tasks and assignment, no matter what significance it brings- you’re there to help!
The Ideal Situation:
You know exactly what you want to do and you landed your dream internship. Besides the basics, make sure to spend your internship making the most out of the experiences and connections you have begun to make. While you may meet other interns, it’s essential to make as many lasting impressions among the staff you work side by side with to retain that solid footing even after you leave.
Find ways to connect even after your internship is over. Send emails noting important things you have picked up and thanking your contact for the guidance and time they had spent with you. This allows the perfect opportunity to ask things like future opportunities down the line or could lead to a longer lasting business possibilities for you in the future.