This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UVM chapter.
There’s nothing quite like running around doing errands for people and not getting paid for it. Hopefully your summer spent interning has at least had some positive impact on your career path. With another internship under your belt, you’re probably wondering- what’s next? Whether it was your first internship, or your last, consider these steps when thinking ahead.
- Save everything- All those business cards, email addresses, and contact names you’ve accumulated might become useful in the future. Maybe a few years later, one of your colleagues is now working for your dream company and you could use the inside reference. As long as you don’t leave things sour between you and your contact, people will often lend a helping hand.
- Join LinkedIn- What is LinkedIn? It’s an online professional networking website. You can make your own profile, connect with colleagues, search for job opportunities, and so much more. The other pro- it’s free! Check it out for yourself!
- Create a portfolio- Keep all of your writing samples, designs, blogs, etc. and put them into a portfolio. Most people are very visual- they want to see what you can do! Did you design a brochure? Write press releases? Update blog posts? Great. Now compile all your samples and show them off.
- Diversify your skills- Unless you’re going into a specialized career, most employers love to see a variety of skills and experiences on a resume. If you’re thinking about what to do for your next internship, think back to what you’ve learned already. What else would be beneficial to know how to do? What skills need some improvement?
- Reflect on your experience- After leaving your internship, keep these questions in mind: Is this really what I want to do? What part of the internship did I like best? What part didn’t I like? Interning is a learning process and a way to actively figure out what you want to do with your life.
If you need any help with writing your resume, practicing interview skills, or just need to talk out your career plan- UVM’s Career Center is a great resource. So take advantage of them while you can!