Internship How-Tos, College Guide

Internship How-Tos, College Guide 

An internship is the best way to get the experience you need to succeed in your future career. It is a training ground wherein you can apply all the things you learn and have a glimpse of how things work in a real workplace setting. Often, internships become your stepping stone for getting hired and gives you an opportunity to expand your network.

By understanding how to become a successful intern, you will discover what it takes to become a key asset in a company which will help you lead to your success. 

Establish Your Goal

There are two types of goals, long-term and short-term. It would be best if you established both these goals to keep track of where you are in terms of reaching your dream. To become successful, you need to map things and create a plan to be guided and avoid doing irrelevant things in achieving your goal.

Love What You Are Doing

Passion is what drives a person to become dedicated to what they are doing. That is why it is important that you love what you are doing. Success is not just about money but also the feeling of accomplishing something you are passionate about. 

Do Not Be Scared To Do Dirty Work

Every successful person, may it be a business tycoon or a professional, has started their career doing grunt work at one point in their life. Doing these is not derogatory but rather should be considered as training. It helps you focus on looking at things from a bigger perspective rather than seeing it as simple tasks. The next tip would be related to this. 

Make Everyday A Learning Day

When you are an intern, you are tasked to do small jobs like becoming the office runner or someone who does the photocopying. Don’t satisfy yourself in just doing these things but instead try and find new things that you can learn from work. Try reading journals or news related to your field. It would allow you to contribute during discussions and show that you can become an asset to the company. 

Exert an Extra Effort

Some interns just go to work simply because it is a requirement. It will help you if you try to go the extra mile and show your employer the kind of work ethic you are willing to do. A good example is by coming in to work earlier than required and finishing the given task even if it is time to go home. Your dedication and concern with the company will bring you a long way towards getting that job you always dreamed about.

Do Not Be Scared To Ask Questions.

You are doing an internship to gain experience, and an excellent way to learn is by asking questions. Take advantage of your time with the company by learning how things are done. Try to take in as much as you can as this can help you, especially when you are doing the job full-time. Asking questions would also show the employer that you are interested in what you are doing and reflects how strong your work ethic is.

Look For A Good Mentor

The key to being a successful intern is to find a good mentor. They will be the one to teach you all the tricks of the trade and could guide on how you should act appropriately in a workplace. Having a mentor during your internship period also lessens the chance of committing mistakes commonly encountered by those during their first jobs. Seeking a good mentor at this early stage can help you towards achieving your goals.

An internship is already a job on its own and should not be taken lightly. You might be doing it for your school compliance but remember that it is much more than that. According to a study, completing an internship increases your chance of getting a job offer by 16%. Now imagine if you did well during your training, then your opportunity against other prospects also increases. 

Keep in mind that no matter how small the things you are doing, everything plays a role in your road towards success. The more experience you get, the easier your life would be outside your campus walls.