Seven ways to make your internship count

Seven ways to make your internship count by Michael Cheary Thinking about an internship? Whether you want to learn as much as you can about your chosen industry, or you’re trying your best to impress so you can land a full time job, finding the right internship could be the key to getting your career off on the right foot.But how do you take as much as you can away from an opportunity? We spoke to Inspiring Interns, to find out seven  ways to help ensure you make the most out of your internship:1. Do your researchJust like any interview or application, make sure you do as much research as possible before the first day of your internship.Many companies actually treat internships as a sort of elongated interview process. So the more you know about the company, the more you’ll know what to expect and how to make sure you deliver.Read over all the information you’ve been given, but make sure you do your own work as well. Check out their social media, their blog and their company website, and you’ll gain some rea l insight into what you can expect from working there.2. Don’t be the first one inAt least, not to start with.Punctuality is essential to your internship, but on your first day you should probably arrive five or ten minutes early. Turning up before your new manager arrives will only make for an awkward start.You also don’t want to put your new boss in a position where they have to set things aside to accommodate you. Once you’ve settled in, turning up before they do and after they leave can be a great way to show that you’re proactive but give it a few days first.3. Say yesOK, so the realities of an internship is that you are often at the bottom end of the ladder. As a result you may need to pick up ad-hoc requests and occasionally do some pretty thankless tasks â€" but, wherever possible, try and say yes to everything that’s asked of you.This also extends to networking opportunities with your new colleagues. See any chance to socialise or take on a new task as an opportu nity to impress your connections. It’s not just about being seen as proactive, it’s about taking every chance you to have to learn more about the business.4. Bring something unexpectedAlways aim to make yourself indispensable.If the company can suddenly consider French clients because they have a fluent French speaker or can stop outsourcing their creative because of your Photoshop skills, you’re much more likely to be kept on or asked back.Demonstrate a way that you can add value or save them money, and you’ll instantly impress.5. Keep your own recordsCompanies may ask you to track certain metrics, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be keeping your own records. Track your workload, track your targets and most importantly track your wins.CVs look best when they’re full of quantifiable accomplishments, so if you’re planning on using the internship as a springboard for a different position, knowing the facts and figures that you can include will always be beneficial.6 . Make some bold invitationsOnce you’ve spent some time at the company and bedded in, don’t be afraid to ask a few important people out for a coffee or lunch.Many senior managers will understand the importance of mentoring their intern intake, and by being proactive and flexible with your time, you might just get the opportunity to pick the brains of someone really knowledgeable about the industry.7. Stay in touchFinally, companies can’t always hire their best interns for a variety of reasons.It could be that they just don’t have the budget or the long-term workload to hire you, but it doesn’t mean they weren’t impressed.Make sure you get contact details before you leave and keep in touch, and you’ll be at the forefront of their mind if another opportunity does arise.Inspiring Interns and are the UK’s leading graduate recruitment agency having placed more than 5,000 university leavers in their first role. If you’re interested in starting your career journey, take a look at their graduate jobs today.Still looking for your perfect position? View all available vacancies now