As summer approaches, college students across the country will begin internships, with many hoping to turn the job into a full-time role upon graduation.
The internship landscape has grown very competitive, with 49% of Gen Z applicants submitting over 50 applications in 2023, according to a Ripplematch survey.
However, while securing the internship is a huge accomplishment, it does not guarantee you a job at the end of the summer. Here’s what you need to do to make a lasting impression, according to Emily Kohler, campus recruiting manager for Stout investment bank and Mirella Armington Cortez, diversity recruitment manager at digital services company Fearless.
Make connections from Day 1
One of the best ways to start off strong is to schedule coffee chats with the members on your team to learn more about their background and the company. “People love to talk about themselves and what they do,” Kohler says.
Making an effort to meet the people on your team demonstrates to your manager that you are excited about the job and that you know how to take initiative. These meetings also give you the opportunity to learn more about the company culture, which can help speed up the adjustment process to your new workplace.
“Something interns forget to do in the beginning is network,” says Armington Cortez. “[Your coworkers] could be a resource for you now or in the future.” She notes that this networking can even help you discover other positions within the company that may be more aligned with your interests than your current role.
Attitude is Everything
Throughout the internship, Kohler’s number one tip is to “keep an open mind.” While the technical skills are teachable, soft skills are not, so your attitude matters. Communication, accountability, and willingness to learn are three of the main attributes employers look for when extending full-time offers.
When communicating with managers, it’s important to be as thorough as possible and provide the full context surrounding your message.
“You don’t ever want a manager to read an email and have to ask a followup question,” Kohler tells me. All communication should be professional and easy to understand.
In addition to communicating effectively, make sure to raise your hand to help out on projects whenever possible. “We know that no one is an expert coming into the internship program, and that is okay,” says Armington Cortez. “Do not let imposter syndrome get to you.”
However, there is a fine line between demonstrating your interest and overdoing it. The key to walking this line, Kohler says, is reading the room. “If you are already on three or four projects, it probably does not make the most sense to raise your hand for another one,” Kohler says.
Finally, while jumping on a project is important, taking accountability for your work—and meeting deadlines—is crucial. Overloading your plate with work until it becomes unmanageable will end up hurting you in the long run.
In addition to your work, make sure you stay accountable for your time. Armington Cortez notes that punctuality is one of the number one most important traits for interns.
With all of these skills, it’s important to note that each workplace has different cultures and standards. That’s why setting up coffee chats to learn about best practices at the beginning of the summer are so important. Just because shorts were acceptable office attire at your internship last summer does not mean that will fly at your new gig.
Take initiative
“I’m bored” is not something hiring managers want to hear. Kohler tells me that one of the biggest mistakes that interns make is waiting for their manager to reach out to them to give them work.
“If you are sitting around twiddling your thumbs, reach out to your manager to see if there is anything you can help with,” she says. “Managers might take note if they have to go to you first with work.”
Ultimately, your internship is what you make of it, she says. If you just want to skate by doing the bare minimum that is required of you, that’s fine, but you likely wont have a very fulfilling experience and won’t get asked back.
Hiring is a two-way street
While it’s important to make a good impression with your new employer, you should simultaneously be evaluating the company to decide if it’s even somewhere you’d want to work. Armington Cortez recommends you routinely check that the organization and its mission are in line with your values.
“You do not have to accept the first offer you get if it is not the offer you want,” says Kohler. “If not a good fit now, it probably will not be a good fit in eight months.”
If you do decide that the type of work and the company are a good fit for you, it’s important to make this known to your hiring manager, she says.
“I like to know that interns are interested,” says Kohler. Enthusiasm for the work throughout the summer communicates to your manager that you would like to continue to work there, increasing your chances of scoring a full-time position. “There is no harm in asking for opportunities for advancement,” says Armington Cortez.
Finish strong
As the summer wraps up, it’s a good idea to arrange an intentional meeting with your manager. In this conversation, you can reiterate your enthusiasm for the work and highlight the work you did over the summer. Showcase your contributions and share what you enjoyed in order to demonstrate your value and interest in the company, says Kohler. And, as always, sending a handwritten thank-you note is a nice touch.
