How to make the most of your summer internship

Written by ls2group

Written by Lily Walters

Landing a summer internship is an exciting accomplishment for any college student. It can open doors for your future career and provide substantial experience and knowledge for when it’s time to officially join the workforce. However, internships are what you make of them. Once you’re lucky enough to land the right internship, it’s important to take advantage of the opportunity and make sure you are learning and gaining as much insight as possible.

• Ask questions. As you begin your internship, you may feel lost and confused. Don’t be! It can be intimidating to ask your manager questions or for help on projects, but it’s important to know that they’ve all been in your shoes. Asking for help is an important part of the learning process. It will help you succeed and better prepare you for future tasks in your internship and post-graduate career.
• Be open to all opportunities. As an intern, you often get thrown into random projects and assignments wherever you’re needed. Being open for any project or task given to you is always beneficial, even if it may be uncomfortable or nerve-racking at first. Stepping outside of your comfort zone in order to complete difficult assignments will help you develop and practice new skills specific to your field.
• Network and build relationships. During my time at LS2group, I’ve learned the importance of building and fostering relationships within your company and professionals in the area. Networking will lead you to lifelong friendships with fellow interns and coworkers and help you feel more settled in the workplace. Take the time to get to know your coworkers and managers because they will share their experience and knowledge with you to help you grow. Additionally, I always make sure to attend networking events, like the intern series put on by the Greater Des Moines Partnership. It’s a great way to meet other interns in the area and learn from professionals in all different industries.

There are plenty of ways you can make the most of your summer internship. By following these suggestions, you will be able to look back with confidence and know that you have taken full advantage of all the opportunities presented to you. Internships are learning experiences, so make sure you are always looking for ways to acquire new skills, meet new mentors and friends, and find experiences to carry with you into the next steps of your career.