Most employers use summer internships a practical way to evaluate potential future employees. In fact, many successful summer interns end their period of training with a job offer after graduation from the company they interned in. Here is your chance to maximize your performance during your internship and make this golden opportunity work to your advantage.

The following are hints to help you make the most out of your summer internship and use it as a step stone for your future profession. Even if you're working for free, your internship can be rich - in experience and valuable career connections. But it's up to you to see that your efforts pay off. Make the right moves and your summer internship will be your gate to your future career.


1. Look, Listen & Learn
Look around you; there's a lot to learn! Read about the field you are interning in. Browse useful resources provided by your company on the fields that interest you. At all times, try to stay well informed and aware of what is going on in the world: the latest trends, world records, famous people in the field, industry news?etc. If attending a course is part of your internship, keep tidy notes of everything you learn and think of ways of applying it in your work.


2. Be Punctual
Always be on time to work and in meeting your deadlines if you are given any. Staying on the clock is a sign of professionalism and shows your respect for the company, your colleagues and most importantly, the work that you do.


3. Be Organized
That does not only mean keeping your files in order! Organize your thoughts and ideas: take notes on any new ideas you have, which tasks are active and which are pending, when are your due dates, names and telephone numbers of your contacts?etc.


4. Don't Lose Sight of Your Goal
Focusing your efforts towards attaining a certain goal is key to success in life. Set goals for yourself and aim at achieving results though your summer internship, be it a new skill, a computer program, a tactic?etc. The point is: plan to achieve something through your summer internship.


5. Take Notes
Make a list of what new skills you need to learn and keep a steady record of what you are actually learning. Record your feeling about you work: which tasks did you like the most? Which seemed the least interesting? Reviewing the list later can help you make future career decisions. Take notes of any lectures, meetings or sessions you attend and make a summary of what you can take from them and apply to your work.


6. Reflect a Professional Image
Just because it's summer time and you are the new kid from university does not mean you do not need to comply with the company's dress code and culture. Find out what type of dress code your colleagues adopt and stick to it. Practice work etiquette and show a professional attitude towards everyone you interact with.


7. Show Enthusiasm
Don't just sit around and wait for work to come to you. During the first phase of your internship, there is usually not much to do and you may not always find your mentor available, as he/she could be busy with their own work. Find ways to initiate work and suggest new and relevant ideas. If you find yourself absolutely out of work, offer help to other colleagues.


8. Open Up
Remember, you are not here to instruct your colleagues or your boss on what you have learned at university. There's a whole lot more to professional life and the practical side of a career than what is taught in academic textbooks. Besides, every business usually has its own school of thought and methodology of operation. Be open to those differences and try to combine the best of both worlds.


9. Don't Be Afraid to Ask
If you are here to learn new things, chances are you will not know everything. Do ask questions if you don't know how something is done or how you are expected to handle a certain task. It is important to know what is expected of you and in some cases, it is better to be safe than sorry.


10. Experiment
At this stage, there is definitely no harm in rotating around different departments, if the company system allows it. This will help you get a feel of what each field entails and how you fit in with your skills, interests, background and education. In case your internship period is relatively short (e.g. One month or less), it is advisable to focus on one department.


11. Nothing Beats Hard Work
Work hard to stay on top of your deadlines and achieve what is expected of you. By far, this does not mean working everyday until midnight and during weekends - unless the need arises. To work hard, focus what you are doing, pay attention, be sincere in your work, don't use the company phone for personal calls, and, if you like to listen to music, keep it down.


12. Feedback...Feedback
Make sure to ask your company for a performance evaluation of your internship period. This will give you some insight on your strengths, weaknesses and whether you fit in the career. If this is not possible, try to sit with your mentor or manager at the end of the period to get an informal assessment and how they think you handled your responsibilities and tasks. It's all in your best interest.


13. Take Pride in Your Work
Work towards getting a professional memorabilia from your internship. Ask your supervisor if you can keep a copy of any projects you work on - brochures, reports, etc. These can be a great addition to a portfolio when you're looking for a job.


14. Say Thank You
As your internship period ends, it is nice to show your appreciation for those who helped you or taught you something, not just your direct boss or mentor. However, a formal thank you letter to the chairman, director or HR manager would be a nice gesture.


15. Stay in Touch
After finishing your training, keep a directory of your contacts in the company and include them in your mailing list to send them greetings and remind them of yourself. Remember, networking is key to finding a job after graduation.


Source : careermideast.com

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