Maximize Your Summer Internship with Top 10 Tips from CCI's Peer Career Advisor

As summer approaches, Middlebury students are gearing up for a season of learning, and professional development through internships. To help students make the most of this experience, CCI is offering advice from one of its own, Peer Career Advisor Katya Juarez ’24. With her expertise and experience, Katya shares her top ten tips to maximize your summer internship and pave the way for future career success.

1. Prepare for Your Future Career- Approach your internship as a pivotal opportunity to showcase your potential for future employment. Many organizations consider exceptional interns for full-time positions, making it crucial to leave a lasting impression. By exceeding expectations, meeting deadlines, and demonstrating a strong work ethic, you not only increase your chances of securing a job but also cultivate valuable references for future endeavors. Similarly, view your internship as a potential future job. While interns and employees often have different responsibilities, this experience can enlighten you about your preferred role in a team setting and the type of company or organization in which you envision yourself. Use this opportunity to gain insight into your ideal work environment and career path, whether it’s office-based or hands-on. Seek guidance from mentors and advisors while acknowledging that personal experience is key to deciding your career trajectory.
2. Set Clear Goals- By defining what you hope to achieve and learn, you demonstrate initiative and focus. It also helps your supervisor understand your expectations, making it easier for them to support your growth and development. When you think of these goals, do not keep them broad, make certain that they are measurable to keep you on track. For example, rather than simply wanting to increase followers for a social media managing internship, plan to increase the number of followers on the account by 50 every week. Whatever the goal is, make sure to try and quantify it! Lastly, at the end of your summer experience, it can help you reflect on what you have learned, which can enable you to gain a deeper understanding of your professional journey and growth.
3. Take Initiative– If you’ve finished a project you were assigned to, it may be tempting to sit back and relax but try to fight this urge. It will make you a memorable and dependable intern if you show that you are motivated to take on more responsibility. Another aspect of taking initiative is sharing any ideas for improvement that you may have. Don’t be afraid to speak up! Your employer will likely see this as you wanting to get more involved in the organization, which if that is the case, would help you in obtaining an employment offer or furthering your relationship with the employer. But if you are also feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to be your own advocate and ask for extra time or assistance.
4. Ask Questions– Asking questions will not only make you look more connected to the organization, but it is also the best way to get the most out of your internship. Don’t ask questions just to ask them though; make sure that you are asking thoughtful questions. By doing so, you express your interest in the work you are doing and the company itself. Being curious will also make you learn more than you would have if you did not become further involved.
5. Keep an Open Mind– If you are asked to complete a project or give a presentation, do not automatically turn down the offer because you feel you do not have the experience to do so. View this as an opportunity to learn! You will get the most out of your internship if you get out of your comfort zone and attempt to develop new skills! Being accommodating is an extremely important tool in overcoming obstacles in everyday life, so make sure to practice this in your internship as well!
6. Seek Feedback with Direct Communication- Just as you would after a job interview, seek feedback on your performance during your internship. Regularly check in with your supervisor to discuss your progress, strengths, and areas for improvement. Demonstrating a willingness to learn and grow shows your commitment to excellence. Rather than shying away from constructive criticism, view it as a pathway to honing your skills and refining your abilities. Regularly checking in with your supervisor to discuss your progress, strengths, and areas for growth demonstrates not only your commitment to excellence but also your proactive approach to personal and professional development. By embracing feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn, you not only enhance your performance but also cultivate a culture of continuous improvement within your internship experience.
7. Network– Meet as many people as you can! The more you get to know the individuals with whom you are working, the more they will know you and be more likely to make professional connections on your behalf. Oftentimes a reputable spokesperson is a major determining factor in whether a future organization will choose to offer a position to you versus another candidate. It is possible that one of the many people you meet will be your future employer or your key into graduate school some day, so always put your best foot forward!
8. Acknowledge Conflict Exists– Actions such as insensitive statements, questions, or assumptions often target many aspects of who we are and they can happen to anyone, from any background, at any professional level. Consider the following: pause, assess the situation, be curious, center your attention on the incident rather than the individual involved, and finally, seek guidance from a trusted mentor or CCI Advisor promptly while the experience is still fresh in your mind.
9. Be Proud About All That You Accomplished! A summer internship is oftentimes much longer than internships offered in the winter, meaning that you are going to dedicate a great deal of time to projects and learning many different skills. As students, we tend to downplay our achievements and all that we were responsible for during internships. It may feel pretentious to do so, but make sure to communicate all that you did on your future resumes and cover letters! You spent an entire summer developing your ability to accomplish certain tasks and you should be proud to show this off!
10. Tips for Remote Internships- For a successful remote internship experience, establish clear communication channels with your team, maintain regular check-ins with your supervisor, and create a dedicated workspace that fosters productivity. Initiate informal coffee chats with each member of your team to foster mutual understanding and build rapport. This proactive approach allows you to establish connections and become acquainted with your colleagues while ensuring they also get to know you better. Take advantage of online resources for professional development, manage your time effectively to maintain a healthy work-life balance, and communicate openly with your team to address challenges promptly.
     

BONUS: Try to Keep a Balanced Summer– While having an internship over the summer often does not leave you with a lot of time to do much of anything else, always remember to take breaks and enjoy your summer! Take in the beautiful weather, spend time with friends and family, make sure to de-stress! It will be hard to not worry about all that you have to do, but remember that you have been extremely productive, and reward your hard work from time to time!

By following these tips, interns can make the most of their opportunities and lay the foundation for a successful summer experience. 

Download the full handout featuring these tips as well as additional resources on networking. 

About Katya: Katya Juarez ‘24 is an International Politics and Economics major and Spanish minor who will be working at JP Morgan after graduation. Katya is a Peer Career Advisor here at the Center for Careers and Internships.