It’s that time of year: finally in the office after spending all semester applying to your dream internship… But now you don’t know what to do. Maybe it feels overwhelming if this is your first internship, especially in a new city or at a bigger company. Maybe you’re unsure what to do with all the hours in the day. Or maybe you’re perfectly content with your summer plans.
Regardless, starting a summer internship can be a real culture shock–going from a flexible college class schedule to a 9-5 workday and leaving you feeling unsure about the remaining months. What some interns fail to see are the amazing opportunities that are possible during their term at any company!
A common sentiment I’ve seen on TikTok is interns feeling like they don’t have a lot of work to do, whether they are finishing their tasks quickly or not being assigned projects by their managers. On the other hand, some people may feel overworked or unsure how to properly manage their time. Whatever situation you may find yourself in, there are plenty of ways to make your intern summer count!
Learn From Your Coworkers
This one may seem obvious, but you can learn so much from your coworkers, beyond just the projects you may work on with them. It is common when starting your term, especially at larger corporate offices, to have “coffee chats” with any team members you might work with over the summer. Take advantage of these by preparing questions and really engaging in conversation, even if they aren’t working in a role that relates to your studies. You should never turn down the opportunity to network because you never know what you can learn from a superior (and who they might know, too).
Also, take advantage of projects that you work on with colleagues or superiors. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. That’s literally why you’re there, and your co-workers will absolutely understand and (hopefully) help provide answers or direct you to the best resources. In meetings, be sure to bring a small notebook or have a document open on your computer where you can take notes. These are helpful to reference later, but it also shows that you are taking initiative by recording what happens in the meetings.
Make the Most of Downtime
I’ve seen countless TikToks from other interns complaining that they don’t have anything to do or that they finish their tasks within the first hour of the day. If this is you, there are a few ways you can go from here. First, you can send your manager, mentor, or other colleagues a note that you are light on work and would have time to help. Even if there may not be active projects for you to work on, they might be able to have you sit in on meetings. This is still a great way to learn from and connect with others.
The other option, if you’ve already reached out to your superiors and/or are waiting for projects, is to work towards personal goals with downtime. There are plenty of free certifications through LinkedIn, Google, or many other platforms, and these apply to many industries. Not only are you learning valuable, real-world skills, but you can also add them to your LinkedIn profile and resumes so you stand out when you’re applying for your next internship.
Set & Stick to Goals
Depending on the company, this tip could actually be built into your summer plan. If not, it is great to set goals at the beginning of the semester, and it is another way to show your manager and team members that you’re taking initiative. Within the first two weeks of your term–if you haven’t already done so–ask to have a one-on-one with your manager or mentor. Before you have that meeting, write down some notes, questions, and goals that you can talk through.
For example, in my Graphic Design internships, I meet with my manager and talk about the work I’m most excited about (motion design versus packaging design) so they know to keep me in mind for any of those specific projects. Maybe there is a new software you’d like to learn, or maybe you’d like to improve your presentation or communication skills. Spell this out to your manager, so you can both make a plan to ensure you have a successful and productive summer.
Summer Internship
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to make the most of your summer internship. Keep in mind that even if you may not want a return offer, the knowledge gained and connections made at any company are invaluable and can help you further down the road. You never know who you may work with or run into in the future. Do future you a favor and make this summer productive!