Maximize Your College Internship Experience

1. Set Clear Goals from Day One

Define what you want to accomplish. Do you need stronger technical skills, industry knowledge, or professional contacts? Set specific goals. These could include mastering Excel for data analysis, attending two industry webinars on AI, or arranging three informational interviews to learn about leadership development.

Discuss your objectives with your supervisor. Align your goals with the company’s expectations to contribute meaningfully and grow professionally. Having this conversation early on sets the stage for a productive and rewarding internship. Keep a daily log of activities and what you learn.

2. Take Initiative

Go beyond assigned tasks. Offer to help on projects, suggest improvements, and solve problems. For example, if you notice outdated reports, propose a new tracking method. If a process feels slow, suggest automation tools like Trello or Asana.

Employers value interns who show curiosity and a willingness to learn. Don’t wait for instructions—ask how you can contribute.

3. Build Strong Relationships

Your network matters as much as your skills. Introduce yourself to colleagues, ask about their roles, and show genuine interest. Attend company meetings, social events, and team lunches.

If networking feels unnatural, start small. Compliment a colleague’s presentation, ask about their career path, or seek advice on a work challenge. Follow up on LinkedIn with a short message referencing your conversation.

When I met Lynn at a networking event, I had no clue what a recruiter does. We eventually found common ground in that we were both foreign-born. We shared stories about adapting to American culture and work styles. Lucky for me, Lynn kindly offered me the opportunity to work as an intern after our conversation. I would never have met her if I’d been too afraid to start a conversation.

Don’t think of dialogue as a one-time opportunity. Instead, think of it as planting seeds. It’s your responsibility to nurture those connections, follow up, and be patient for the outcome.

4. Ask Questions and Seek Feedback

Ask questions to clarify tasks and deepen your understanding. Instead of asking, "How do I do this?" say, "Here is how I completed the assignment—What do you think?"

Another scenario… If you’re tasked with preparing a team presentation, you could ask, "Here’s the draft based on my research. Are there additional elements I could include or different angles I should explore?"

When you finish a project, show engagement by requesting specific feedback, such as, "What could I improve about this?"

Use feedback to refine your skills. If your supervisor mentions unclear emails, start using more specific examples. You can also use AI writing tools for additional support. Keep in mind that AI is not a replacement for your brain.?

5. Learn Beyond Your Role

Explore different departments. Shadow a colleague in marketing, join a finance meeting, or spend an hour with the IT team. Learning how roles connect gives you a better understanding of the company as a whole.

If your company lacks structured learning opportunities, create your own. Ask a senior employee for a quick Q&A session, or study internal reports to gain insights into industry trends. Follow the news on a daily basis.

6. Track Your Achievements

Write down key tasks and accomplishments. Instead of saying, “Worked on a marketing project,” replace it with “Designed a social media campaign that increased engagement by 20%.”

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with measurable results. Quantify and qualify your accomplishments. Keeping a record helps during performance reviews, job applications, and future interviews.

7. Stay Connected After the Internship

Before leaving, thank your supervisor and team. Send a follow-up email highlighting what you learned and expressing appreciation for their guidance.

Stay in touch on LinkedIn. Comment on your colleagues’ posts, share relevant articles, and reach out with news . A simple message like, “Here is an update—I recently started a new role and wanted to thank you for all your advice,” keeps connections alive.

Conclusion

If you put in the effort, internships open doors. Set goals, take initiative, build relationships, ask questions, expand your learning, track your progress, and maintain connections. A strong internship experience lays the foundation for a successful career.

#college #internship #LH&A

By Yifei Liu , Intern at Lynn Hazan & Associates, Inc.

? February 2025 Lynn Hazan & Associates, Inc.