It might seem early to start thinking about your internship, but good planning takes time—and the earlier you start, the better prepared you’ll be to make the most of this opportunity. Embarking on an internship is an exciting and pivotal step in your career journey. It’s not just about landing the position but making the most of the experience once you’re in. The key to a truly transformative internship lies in your approach: intentionality. What you gain from an internship depends on what you put into it—starting with clear goals and a plan of action. Let’s explore why setting intentions matters and how to prepare effectively for this critical opportunity.
Why Approach Your Internship with Intention?
Internships are more than resume fillers—they’re a chance to test-drive your career, build valuable connections, and acquire skills that will shape your professional identity. But without a roadmap, you risk coasting through the experience and missing out on its full potential. Intentionality ensures you don’t just learn but also grow in the ways that matter most to you.
The adage “If you don’t know where you’re going, any path will take you there” perfectly applies here. Without clear goals, your internship might lack direction. But with intentional planning, you can maximize every day, interaction, and project.
Five Steps to Prepare for Your Internship
To make the most of your internship, preparation is key. These five steps will set you up for success:
1. Create a List of Goals
Before you even start, ask yourself these questions:
What experiences do I want to have?
What skills do I want to develop?
What achievements do I want to highlight on my resume post-internship?
What knowledge do I want to gain?
What interpersonal and collaboration skills do I want to build?
How might I seek feedback from those around me at the end of the internship to use in my development?
Use the answers to these questions to define clear and actionable objectives for your internship. For example, if you want to improve your presentation skills, set a goal to lead or co-lead at least one meeting or presentation. If gaining technical knowledge is a priority, aim to learn a specific tool or process by the end of your internship. These objectives will provide a roadmap for making the most of your experience.
2. Research the Company and Industry
Understand the organization’s mission, culture, and goals. Knowing the industry trends will also give you context for your work and help you make informed contributions. This research demonstrates your initiative and equips you to ask insightful questions during your internship.
3. Clarify Expectations with Your Manager
Early in your internship, have a conversation with your supervisor about what success looks like. Start by letting them know that you are there to serve their needs first—that’s what they’re paying you for. Ask about their goals for your role and how you can best contribute to the team’s success.
Once you understand their priorities, share your own goals and ask how they align with the team’s objectives. By communicating your goals, you position your supervisor to help you achieve as many of them as makes sense, given the responsibilities of the position and other factors. This proactive and respectful approach not only sets the stage for a productive experience but also showcases your ambition and foresight—qualities sure to impress a potential future employer.
4. Prepare to Build Relationships
Networking is one of the most valuable aspects of an internship. Identify key people you’d like to connect with, whether it’s a mentor in your field or colleagues from other departments. Be ready to ask for advice, shadow their work, or simply learn from their experiences.
5. Stay Organized and Track Progress
Use a journal or app to track your daily tasks, milestones, and lessons learned. Reflecting regularly on your progress helps you stay aligned with your goals and provides concrete examples of your contributions when it’s time for performance reviews or updates.
Practical Tips for Success
Be Proactive: Seek out opportunities to contribute, even beyond your assigned tasks.
Communicate Clearly: Keep your manager updated on your work and don’t hesitate to ask for feedback.
Stay Curious: Treat every task as a learning opportunity, even if it seems small or unrelated to your goals.
Document Your Achievements: Keep a record of projects completed, skills learned, and positive feedback. These details are invaluable for your resume and future interviews.
Embrace Challenges: Step outside your comfort zone to grow.
Conclusion
Your internship can be a transformative stepping stone in your career, but its value depends on the intentions you set and the effort you invest. Approach this opportunity with purpose, and you’ll walk away with not just a line on your resume but also a wealth of experience, skills, and connections.
So, what are your goals for your upcoming internship? How will you ensure this experience becomes a powerful chapter in your professional story?