Rachel thought this internship would be her big break. After months of applications and countless rejections, she finally landed a summer role in the HR department of a consumer products company. It wasn’t her dream job, but it was paid, and it felt like a step in the right direction. She hoped this opportunity would lead to a full-time offer after graduation.
But just a few weeks in, Rachel felt adrift. Her manager was too busy to check in regularly. Most of her tasks were repetitive and administrative. And no one had spelled out what success looked like. She wasn’t sure how to stand out or if anyone even noticed the effort she was putting in.
This scenario is all too common. Internships hold incredible potential, but they’re rarely straightforward. Many students arrive eager to gain experience and secure a job offer, only to discover it takes far more than simply showing up.
If your student wants their internship to turn into a full-time role, they’ll need to approach it with intention, initiative, and a clear strategy. As a parent, here is how you can help them make it count.
How can your student land a full-time job from this experience?
Here are tips to share with your student to help them ace the internship:
Stand Out Early
First impressions matter! During the first week, interns often meet with their supervisors, colleagues, and team members. Here are ways to make a great initial impression.
- Dress professionally to start – even if the workplace dress code is casual, it’s better to be more dressed initially.
- Take notes during all calls and meetings. Participate as much as possible and ask clarifying questions.
- Be the first to volunteer to work on something. This is how to build your network.
- Be curious and ask questions.
- Smile!!!
If remote:
- Show up ready. Ensure that your video is on, the camera is at eye level, the background is clean, and the attire is professional. Skip the pajama pants. Dressing professionally is not just good practice, but it’s a state of mind. Ensure a clean and quiet setting, free from a messy bed and questionable posters in the background.
- For every video meeting, write down the name (first and last) of every person on the call.
- At the end of each day, connect with new colleagues on LinkedIn, stating that it was nice to meet them on video and that you are looking forward to working with them throughout the summer.
Clarify Expectations: Don’t Assume
Understanding the expectations of a manager is critical to having a successful experience. An intern needs to ask and understand the priorities if not laid out.Many interns don’t realize that managers are evaluating them for soft skills such as communication, initiative, and curiosity, just as much as technical knowledge. Here are some great questions to ask the boss.
- What are your expectations of me for the next 8 weeks?
- How will you measure my success? How would you define a successful internship experience?
- How often will we meet? How often would you like to receive updates on my progress?
- If I have questions, who are the best people to contact for help?
- What advice do you have for me?
Tracking progress
The key to a successful internship experience, even if the job is boring or is not what is expected, is tracking accomplishments each week. We have created an Internship Tracking Journal to help track these metrics:
- Time spent working on specific projects/training
- # clients/colleagues you interacted with/assisted
- # tasks completed each day/week
- Any lessons learned, anything enjoyed, disliked, or ideas from the experience
Mid-Point Check In: Ask for Feedback
Instead of waiting until the end of the internship, ask for a meeting with the boss/supervisor halfway to get feedback. The goal is to understand performance and opportunities for improvement or growth. Then adjustments can be made for the remaining time.
Ask these questions:
- How am I doing with meeting your expectations so far? Where am I doing well? What can I improve?
- Are there certain projects you would like to have completed by the end of my time? Anything new I should take on?
- Based on my performance, would you consider me a fit for this company going forward? Why or why not?
Finish strong
Ask the boss for a final meeting. Prepare to share accomplishments, what has been learned, and any recommendations for the organization. This could be the opportunity to ask for final feedback and assess if your skills align with the company. Ask about the process for applying for a full-time offer at the company. Even if they don’t offer a full-time position, it’s important to leave on positive terms. You may need them for a reference.
Rachel followed our guidance by tracking her accomplishments, networking with co-workers, and ensuring she understood her manager’s expectations. She was given the opportunity to work on a team project where she gained new skills and presented to senior leadership. They were so impressed with her work, they have invited her to speak with the VP to interview for a full-time role.
We know that internships do not guarantee employment, but they can be instrumental in helping make decisions about a future career path.
If you would like to learn more about how Next Great Step helps students maximize the internship experience to land a full-time job, we would love to speak with you. Schedule a Complimentary Consultation HERE or call us at 973-577-6161.
