Making the Most of Your Internship

Insights from former interns

Second in a two-part series providing advice from former interns to managers and interns on how to get the most out of the internship experience.

(Part One: How Managers Can Maximize the Internship Experience ).

Embarking on an internship is not just about gaining experience—it's about seizing every opportunity for growth and making a lasting impression. To provide aspiring interns with valuable guidance, I turned to five former interns— Alexis Arnieri , Adam Gomski , Brendan King , Beth Parks and Sarah Solovy —who graciously shared their insights on how interns can get the most out of their internship. My sincere thanks to each of them.

Here's a compilation of their advice:

1.????? Be a Sponge: Beth Parks emphasizes the importance of being a keen observer and absorber of knowledge. Beyond the technical aspects of the job, interns should pay attention to workplace dynamics, communication styles and organizational culture. Every interaction offers a learning opportunity, so embrace the experience of stepping into a professional environment.

“Someone said this to me during my time as an intern and it stuck—pay attention and absorb as much as you can,” wrote Beth. “This is probably much different now in the remote/hybrid work environment, but the concept is the same. To me it meant to not only pay attention to the content being shared and the work being done, but also how coworkers interacted, how meetings were led, how questions were asked, and even how “water cooler” talk can be tactical.”

2.????? Network and Make a Memorable Impression: Brendan King advocates for connecting with and leaving a lasting impression on as many colleagues as possible. Even if the tasks may not seem important, but your approach and the value you bring to the table can be unforgettable. “Often times, the work you might be tasked with as an intern isn’t memorable – but the way you present it, the way you go beyond the specific ask and find further benefits for the organization can be,” noted Brendan. “Showcasing strategic thinking, your personality and a complete and error-free work product can help open doors for full-time employment opportunities.”

3.????? Embrace the Balancing Act: Alexis Arnieri stresses mastering the art of balance as key to making the most of your internship experience. Being open to new opportunities, whether it's social events, constructive feedback or projects outside of your comfort zone can certainly help with your personal and professional growth. As does knowing when to seek input or help. “It’s good to say yes to new challenges, but be self-aware in that you don’t know everything,” said Alexis. “Say yes and be confident that you can do it, but don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek input. Take on everything you can, but you don’t need to act like you already know how to do all of it. Instead, be eager to learn and confident that you can tackle these new challenges. And remember, your manager is there to help you learn and grow.”

4.????? Take Initiative: Adam Gomski encourages interns to seize opportunities to showcase their skills and abilities, even if it means stepping out of their comfort zone. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and demonstrate your commitment to achieving shared goals. By taking initiative and demonstrating resourcefulness, you not only enhance your skills but also leave a lasting impression on colleagues and managers. “When an opportunity presents itself to show your talents and skills, jump all over it even if you do not feel comfortable,” remarked Adam. “Jumping out of your comfort zone will allow you to get used to doing things you are not used to which will 100% happen in a full-time job. It will also show those around you that you are willing to do what needs to be done to get the overall objective completed. That always has a good return on investment.?“

5.????? Build Genuine Connections & Seek New Opportunities: Sarah Solovy highlights the significance of building genuine connections during internships. Take the initiative to network with professionals across different areas of expertise, both within and outside the organization. These connections can offer invaluable insights, mentorships, and potential opportunities for collaboration or even future employment. Make sure you are connecting on LinkedIn with those you meet. Also, offer to help out with as many projects as possible in order to get exposure to as many different areas of the department as possible. “Make as many genuine connections as you can,” noted Sarah. “When I was an intern, I took the initiative to set up 1:1 calls with everyone and anyone I wanted to learn from. Many of these individuals were external to the company, and as an intern, it took a lot of courage to ask them to give up time to meet with me. But I cannot stress enough how invaluable these conversations were. I got to speak to professionals across a variety of areas of expertise. These connections I made as an intern were monumental to my career, and I was sure to keep in touch with them even after the internship program ended.”

A few other things to consider are to create a well thought-out work and development plan in advance, identify an area of focus within the role, use LinkedIn to share what you have been working on and learning in near real-time, identify personal areas of strength and improvement, and consider how you can apply your new found knowledge and skills in future endeavors.

By incorporating these insights into your internship journey, you can make it a transformative experience that sets the stage for future success. Remember, every interaction, task and challenge presents an opportunity for growth and learning. Embrace the experience with enthusiasm, curiosity, and a willingness to contribute, and you'll emerge not only with valuable skills but also with a network of meaningful connections.