Many Collegiate DECA members have internships this summer. Whether you are exploring a new industry, building connections, gaining experience or aiming for a post-graduation job offer, internships are the perfect opportunity to learn more about yourself and your future career goals.
Here are some ways to make the most of your summer internship:
- Connect with your peers and fellow interns. Building relationships will make collaborative projects smoother and make the experience more enjoyable.
- Invite employees to coffee chats, especially those in positions you are interested in. Their advice and insights can be invaluable.
- Take time to recognize everyone you interact with — whether it is your recruiter, office manager, doorman, or technology specialist. People within organizations talk and making a positive impression matters.
- At the end of your internship, thank the people you worked with. This could be baking cookies for the office, giving a small gift, or writing brief handwritten notes.
- Connect with the people you meet on LinkedIn to maintain your professional network.
On a day-to-day basis, you can maximize your experience and impact by:
- Arriving early and being dependable — consistency stands out.
- Being proactive and volunteering for projects outside your direct responsibilities.
- Taking notes and asking thoughtful questions.
- Participating in company events, networking sessions and team activities.
- Seeking feedback regularly instead of waiting for formal reviews.
An internship is more than just a summer job. It is an opportunity to discover which type of work, environment and career path best fits you. At the end of your internship, reflect on what you enjoyed, what you did not enjoy and what you would do differently moving forward.
Questions?
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