Making the most of your internship
College students can make the most of their short time as a summer intern within government or a public service organization by following these tips:
Set Clear Goals
Take the initiative to seek out opportunities to learn and contribute to the organization. This could include asking for additional responsibilities, volunteering for projects, or asking to shadow someone in a different department.
Be Proactive
Take the initiative to seek out opportunities to learn and contribute to the organization. This could include asking for additional responsibilities, volunteering for projects, or asking to shadow someone in a different department.
Build Relationships
Building relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and other interns can be valuable for networking and learning. Get to know people in the organization and ask for advice or feedback.
Seek Feedback
Seeking feedback from supervisors and colleagues can be a valuable way to learn and grow during the internship. Be open to constructive criticism and use it to improve your skills and performance.
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal or notebook to record observations, insights, and reflections can be a valuable way to process the experience and document what was learned during the internship.
Follow Up
After the internship is over, follow up with colleagues and supervisors to maintain relationships and continue learning. This could include sending thank you notes, connecting on LinkedIn, or scheduling informational interviews.
Learn About the Organization
Take the opportunity to learn as much as you can about the organization you want to intern with. This could include understanding the mission and values of the organization, learning about the history and culture, and understanding the roles and responsibilities of different departments.