14 August 2015

Ace That Internship: 6 Things To Do Before You Leave

It's the end of summer internship season, and here is a list of things to do your last week!





1. Get coffee/lunch with your supervisor: Make sure you continue to build your relationship with your supervisor. They can be a great mentor, reference and sounding board in the future. One day you can even repay them for their kindness!

2. Compile your portfolio (ask for permission) : Start putting together samples of what you did during your internship. Ask your supervisor what is appropriate to bring with you, and whatever you get permission for make sure to take a digital copy for future portfolios. Try and find your best work, as well as pieces that show you can do the more common tasks.

3. Update your LinkedIn, professional website and resume: Take an afternoon or night to update all three of these items and make sure they reflect what you did. It takes a lot of editing and rewriting, but use your task list to make this easier.

4. Finish any projects: Even if you can't finish them, make sure you stop at a place that others can pick up at. Keep your supervisor updated on your progress, and leave a description of where you left off.

5. Ask for a review: If your internship doesn't already schedule a review at the end, ask for one for two reasons. One, you get to hear how you did, and can make goals for yourself to improve. Two, you can give your supervisor feedback on your experience.

6. If you feel comfortable, ask for a reference: If you feel as if you have a great relationship with your supervisor, ask for them to be a reference or for a letter of reference. They are the best ones to ask because they worked with you directly.If you connected with other people in the company and worked with them closely, ask them as well to be a reference. It's important later on when you're applying for internships, awards and scholarships.

Bonus:Write a thank you card! Alicia and Elana reminded me of the most important tip, write a thank you note to people you worked with! Both remarked how it had left an impression on them. I can't believe I forgot about this, since it's normally my number one tip!


What did/do you do to end your internship on a positive note? If you had an internship, how did you think it went/?

xoxo

18 comments:

  1. Internships sound so fun for the summers! These are all great things to do!

    Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is a great tip, and I'm so glad you have this series! Bookmarking for when I get my first one next year.

    Courtney// As We Stumble Along

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for the tips girlfran! TGIF! <3

    Xo, Michelle

    www.mash-elle.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. These are great tips! It's always really important to leave things either the same or better than when you came - including ending with a great impression!
    xx, Mikkaela
    The Southwestern Prepster

    ReplyDelete
  5. Definitely handy tips!
    It's always good to ask for feedback so you know where you are doing well and where you can improve.

    xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys

    ReplyDelete
  6. These are awesome tips, Ash! Bookmarking this to look back on when I get an internship!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great tips- I think that keeping in touch with old employers is a great skill to start ASAP! You never know when the relationship might be helpful!

    http://apeachysonder.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great tips! I might do a short internship before I graduate (not sure if it'll happen but we'll see) and I'll have to keep these in mind!
    Lauren
    The Fashionista's Diary

    ReplyDelete
  9. Excellent tips!! I'm sure that you absolutely aced your internship! :-)

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ending by asking for a reference and for permission to use for *future* references is awesome. I also recommend scoping out their network in advance...if you notice your boss has a connection to someone you're dying to meet, don't be afraid to ASK if that connection can be made!

    Coming Up Roses

    ReplyDelete
  11. These are fab tips! I would also give a thank you note on your last day, when my interns did this it really made an awesome impression on me!

    xo, Alicia | Alicia Tenise

    ReplyDelete
  12. The are such great tips. I also think giving a handwritten note is something special that not many people do anymore. I keep notes on my desk so I always love getting a new one to add to the collection.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Yes, yes, yes! I agree with all of these tips. Definitely planning on sharing them with some friends who are about to wrap up their internships!

    XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass

    ReplyDelete
  14. These are all fabulous tips! Super important when interning to leave with a great impression!!

    Nicole // Chronicles of Home

    ReplyDelete
  15. I already asked for a reference! I've been thinking a lot if I should write a thank you note or not also!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Yes, definitely update your LinkedIn! My husband forgot to do that when he left his rotations, and a lot of people noticed!

    ReplyDelete