Getting the most out of an Internship Experience: You Get Out What You Put in

Back in June our intern Alyson had blogged about her experience with Pinnacol. Over the last several months Alyson has been working hard to make the most of her internship so we thought we'd have her write another blog about getting the most out of your time with a company...

So you’re close to graduating, or you just want to make you resume stand out, or you want some experience; whatever the reason, your internship is one of the most important experiences in college. Many students often wonder why an internship is necessary. Well the answer is simple. An internship can be of considerable benefit to you. Internships will introduce you to potential future work environments and you will be able to decide whether these meet your career wishes and interests. You can also acquire important supplementary skills during an internship and make contact with potential future employers.

It would be disappointing if you left your internship and realized that you really didn’t learn anything new or you didn’t develop your skills professionally. You might kick yourself and think, “Well they (the organization) didn’t help me do this or that… this was a waste of time…” The reality is it is your responsibility to make the most of your time at the company so here are a few tips to making the most of your internship:

Strategize: Before you walk into your first day at your internship have a strategy in mind. Know what you want to gain from this experience. Is there something in particular you might be interested in within the company? A certain department or job? Do you know what you want to learn or what skills you want to enhance?

Use your time wisely: You should be aware of how much time you have at your internship. If you only have 300 hours verses a whole semester it is important to use your time wisely. Set up meetings with anyone doing a job you might be interested in. Visit different departments to find out what they do within the company. Use the time you have to pick the brains of the professionals you are surrounded by.

Communicate: Communicate your wants and needs to your mentor or preceptor. Let them know what you are interested in so you can find work or a project that is motivating and will help you gain something professionally. Talk everyone you meet. Being open and communicating with everyone will expand your network and it will show the organization that you fit in.

Ask questions: This is your time to ask whatever questions you want relating to the business or the industry. There is no such thing as a stupid question when you are trying to gain as much knowledge as possible from this experience.

Participate: Make sure you put yourself out there and participate. Lunch and learns, meetings, social events, or whatever other events the organization does is an opportunity to really get out there and meet professionals and show them you are part of the team. Again, this is a networking tool.

Your internship is what you make it. You get out what you put in. This is your chance to really make something of your career and enhance your confidence and professionalism. When you put in 100% you will get a great internship experience. Be on time, be professional, and be open-minded.

Other blogs by Alyson:
Flashback 2002
My Life as an Intern at Pinnacol