What are good goals for an internship?

Good goals for an internship include gaining valuable experience, networking, and gaining great professional references.

Here are some details on these goals and other good ones to have for an internship:

• Gaining valuable experience

  One of the main points of an internship is for you to gain professional experience in a specific field or a career path you want to advance on. Internships provide the opportunity to hone your existing skills and learn new ones. Internships are often used as stepping stones to gaining full-time positions in a particular industry.

• Networking

  Internships also allow you to network with your colleagues, other interns, and of course your supervisor. You should seek to grow close to these professionals because they might be able to help you in the future.

  Here are some helpful tips concerning your internship supervisor:

  • Check-in regularly with your manager

  • Update them on any progress

  • Ask for help when necessary

  • Let them know of any accomplishments or achievements

  Just as it is important to grow close to your manager or supervisors, you must also establish connections with your coworkers. Most companies encourage teamwork, so getting close to coworkers, helping them, and executing your duties is a great way to show you are someone that can be relied upon. This can result in them advocating on your behalf in your career.

• Gaining great professional references

  Internships can also be used for professional references for future prospective jobs in your field. Especially when just starting, your potential employer will want to check in with any relevant sources to find out about your characteristics, work ethic, and skills. By performing your internship to the best of your ability you enable the opportunity for great references.

• Be a problem-solver

  When you take initiative and try to solve problems or issues related to your work or others' work, it can display a level of skill that the company appreciates. This can help you with professional references or even might give you a chance of gaining a full-time role at the company you are interning with. Problem-solving is a key skill that most employers look for.

• Prove you are a good fit for the company

  Before starting your internship you should first do some research on the organization.

  Here you should find out about:

  • The company's mission

  • The company's vision

  • The company's core values

  Understanding all of these aspects of the company will help to inform you how to perform the best you can during your internship. This not only has to do with your work ethic and dedication but also concerns how you conduct yourself professionally.

• Comprehend and follow the company's rules

  During the introductory week of your internship you are likely to be introduced to various company rules and procedures. This is often given in written form, like an intern handbook or employee handbook. It is important to study this material because it will indicate what the company expects of you in specific areas.