Ask the Coach

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Ask the Coach 〰️

I have an internship this summer and want to make the most of it. What advice do you have for standing out?

To turn your internship into a career success launchpad, you need to exceed expectations and showcase your full potential. Whether your goal is to secure a full-time offer or build a strong foundation for future opportunities, follow these five intern best practices to make a lasting impression:

  1. Be a Proactive Problem Solver: Don’t just complete assigned tasks – anticipate needs, identify challenges, and propose solutions. Take ownership of your internship experience by proposing and executing your own projects and asking for constructive feedback along the way.

  2. Become the Go-To Expert: Identify a niche skill or area of knowledge that aligns with company goals and invest in mastering it. This helps you learn critical skills you’ll carry with you after the summer is over, while showcasing you’re more than just an intern: you’re a valuable contributor to your team’s success.

  3. Drive Innovation: Stay up to date on the latest industry trends, sharing relevant insights, fresh ideas, and new approaches. Create productive dialogue and gain visibility across your team by organizing brainstorming sessions or sending a recurring email.

  4. Network Strategically: Build relationships beyond your immediate team, connecting with employees across departments to gain diverse perspectives and career advice. Set up coffee chats and attend company events to expand your network and understanding of the company as a whole, while finding mentors and advocates who can support your career development.

  5. Leave a Lasting Legacy: Create tangible deliverables that benefit the company after your internship ends. This could be a training manual, process improvement, research report, or any resource that leaves a lasting positive impact. Don’t forget to send thoughtful thank you notes! 

By taking initiative and demonstrating your value, you’re not just helping the company – you’re investing in your own future success.

Ready to transform your internship into a stepping stone for career success? Our coaching team has a proven track record of helping young professionals secure meaningful internships and launch their careers.

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