What do you do if your banking internship fails to meet employer expectations?

1 Seek Feedback

If you sense that your performance isn't meeting expectations, the first step is to seek feedback. Approach your supervisor or mentor and request a meeting to discuss your progress. Be open and receptive to their comments, even if they're not what you hoped to hear. Asking specific questions about where you can improve shows that you're eager to learn and committed to your internship. Use this feedback as a roadmap to enhance your skills and work habits throughout the remainder of your internship.

2 Action Plan

Once you have feedback, it's time to create an action plan. Identify the key areas where you need improvement and set realistic goals for how to address them. This might involve dedicating extra time to master certain financial concepts or improving your communication skills. Break down these goals into manageable tasks and set deadlines for yourself. Regularly review your progress with your mentor to ensure you're on track and adjust your plan as necessary.

3 Enhance Skills

Improving your technical skills and industry knowledge is essential. Take advantage of the resources available to you—whether it's company training materials, online courses, or industry publications. Spend time outside of work hours if necessary to get up to speed. Demonstrating a strong grasp of banking fundamentals and a willingness to go above and beyond in learning can help change your employer's perspective on your capabilities and dedication.

5 Reflect and Grow

Reflect on the experience and consider what it has taught you about yourself and the field of banking. Use this as an opportunity for personal growth. Recognize that setbacks are part of every career path and that overcoming them is a sign of resilience. This reflection can also help you understand better what you want from your career and how to align your goals with your actions moving forward.

6 Future Steps

Looking beyond the internship, consider how this experience will shape your future career moves. Whether it means seeking another internship, furthering your education, or adjusting your career goals, use what you've learned to make informed decisions. Remember that every experience, even those that are challenging, contributes to your professional development and can help you become a stronger candidate in the competitive field of banking.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?