Every college student is motivated by three main goals: You need to get good grades, graduate and build experience so you can start your career after school. That experience can come in the form of part-time jobs, but as a college student, you’re more likely to shoot for an internship as your resume-builder.
A large part of your internship experience depends on the attitude you have when you approach the work, and how much effort you put into it.
Your student advisor will probably tell you that you need an internship to get a job, and while this may be true, there’s almost zero guidance on how to get the internship and how to use it to land a post-college job.
Thankfully, there are only a few things you should know to accomplish that.
1. Don’t Pigeonhole Yourself
You want an internship that’ll look good on your resume, but keep in mind that internships are really all about your experience.
If you can find a writing internship that directly corresponds with your desired career in marketing or public relations, that’s great. If you’re planning on being an engineer and you only look for internships with the term “engineer” in them, you may not find much, but that’s OK! Think about what kind of work you’d be doing on the job if it was your career, and look for internships that offer something similar.
Searching for an internship using job sites that offer both intern opportunities and full-time positions will help you when you start to look for a job. Some places that are hiring will advertise on job sites, and some you’ll have to find by doing a web search for them by name and going to their company site.
It can boost your resume considerably to work for a company whose name speaks for themselves. Huge, well-known companies like BDO , Zappos and even Google often have open internship positions that are listed directly on their websites.
Even if you can’t find any information about internships with a specific company, it never hurts to be proactive and ask. The worst they can do is say they don’t have internship opportunities available.
2. Don’t Be Overly Picky
Unpaid internships are basically a way to get free labor out of college students in exchange for career experience and sometimes class credit. Unless you were counting on making money to cover your living expenses, don’t turn down an unpaid opportunity.
As far as your resume goes, there’s really no difference between paid and unpaid internships. In other words, you don’t write your salary on your resume, so what matters is the work you do and commitment you show. Keep your eyes open for all kinds of opportunities.
The only time your pay might come into play is in that final job or internship before your career starts, so you have a starting point in salary negotiations — but even that isn’t crucial.
Employers know when they hire someone straight out of college that you haven’t been a high wage earner, so your starting salary will be based less on your negotiation skills, and more on their budget and what your former employers say about you.
3. Give 110 Percent
The flip side of an internship being for a short time is that you have less time to prove yourself as a potential employee. Remember, it’s all about those references. Do your absolute best to always walk in a few minutes early with a positive attitude.
As an intern, you may not get the most exciting assignments, but you need to be enthusiastic and fully committed to the work no matter what. Don’t slack on projects, always be a resource for others who might need extra help and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback .
Your dedication and hard work will pay off once you’ve landed your first post-college position.
4. Think Ahead
Part of making a great impression is learning to think ahead. Anticipate the needs of those above you and don’t think too highly of yourself to turn down the chance to help anyone else around the job. Try to get a head start on assignments and have plans in place for any problems that may arise.
This kind of work ethic will also apply in your future jobs. Being proactive will make you more likely to get snatched up by an employer who is willing to pay you well for what you’ve shown you can do. No task is too small, so work your internship with a smile and know you’re one step closer to a solidly employed future.
5. Write Everything Down
This may be one of the most important parts. Write down everything you do at the internship, from refilling the copier to writing a blog post.
You never know what might help you get your foot in the door at a future job. An employer might be looking for someone who can work in Excel with their eyes closed, but if they really need someone who can provide basic tech support around the office, that’ll be one more point in your favor.
6. Don’t Burn Your Bridges
Your direct supervisor for your internship will be your key reference for any future job applications, so make sure to leave with a positive attitude and thank them for the opportunities your internship presented.
Ending on good terms will leave your supervisor ready to tell inquiring employers how great you are, and a fantastic ending will have your supervisor and anyone else you helped around the office singing your praises.
Future bosses will want someone who can do the job well, while also being a team player who’s pleasant around the office. Being a kind person who’s not afraid to work hard with a smile on your face at an internship — whether or not it ends up being related to your future career — will get you far in the long run. Prove yourself now, so you can relax later.
It’s not hard to use an internship to get yourself a job after you graduate.
Be flexible while you search, and don’t view any assignment as beneath you. If you put others first and give your best every day you’re at your internship, your actions and character will speak for you.
Your internship supervisor will make sure you don’t have to just rely on your resume to make you stand out, but the extra experience sure won’t hurt!
