Here's how you can shine as an intern in the competitive Enterprise Software industry.

One of the issue I have witnessed many times is the interns fear of asking questions. They don’t realize the hardest part was getting the opportunity. Individuals that ask questions even bad ones end up being the best. There are plenty of people that want to help and give guidance but usually are in their day to day mode. With many companies still working in a hybrid or virtual world it’s harder on the interns to learn. They need to figure out who they should want to continually work and learn from and take the initiative to schedule time with them. Just make sure the conversations are relevant and the people you’re reaching out to understand your goals.

Stay Up to date by following industry trends, read relevant blogs, and keep up with the latest technological advancements. Take Initiative when you encounter something you don’t know, to learn about it. This could be a new programming language, a software tool, or a business concept.

We have seen interns come to us having been told how to behave beforehand - this rarely works out, but leads to confusion when reality contradicts teaching. The most valuable life-skills to bring are listening and observation which will show what needs to be done.

Tell your supervisor that you know they are busy during regular office hours and that you are willing to meet with them in the evenings or on the weekends.

Master Relevant Technologies by familiarizing yourself with the technologies and tools commonly used in enterprise software, such as Java, C#, SQL, cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), and DevOps tools. Learn About Enterprise Systems by understanding the basics of enterprise software systems like ERP, CRM, and SCM. Knowing how these systems function can give you a significant edge. Focus on Best Practices by Emphasizing writing clean, maintainable code and understanding software development best practices, such as version control (e.g., Git), unit testing, and continuous integration. Show your edge by making use of cutting edge technologies like AWS Q that can sanitize and improve your code quality.

Build connections with colleagues, mentors, and other interns. Networking can lead to valuable insights and future opportunities. Seek feedback regularly by asking for feedback on your performance and use it constructively to improve. Be a Team Player by collaborating effectively with your team. Be supportive, share your knowledge, and be willing to assist others.

Focus on Delivering Value by understanding Business Objectives. Make an effort to understand how your work contributes to the company's goals. This helps you align your efforts with the broader objectives of the organization. Take Ownership and treat your tasks as your own projects. Taking ownership demonstrates your commitment and can lead to greater trust and responsibility.

Question thinking approach is interesting when receiving feedback on performance appraisal. Internally asking thoughtful questions as an observer. It encourages curiosity and open-mindedness, helping you discover what truly interests you, your organization and your colleagues. Focus on constructive questions and insights rather than judgments. This wil help you grow and improve without feeling discouraged.

- Be productive as soon as possible. Do your learning using your own time in addition to work time. - Do quality work. - Deliver on time. - Look for additional improvements that can be made beyond what is expected of you.

Understand that as an intern you will be doing grunt work. Accept the work and perform it to the best of your ability. You will be surprised at what you learn.