It’s a new year, which means new opportunities and a new, fresh start to working towards your goals. We all know that internships are extremely important when it comes to your career and preparing yourself for your future, but how many of us actually know how to get – and keep – a bomb internship? Here are some tips to help you on your way to becoming a true #internshipqueen.
Do you even have a resume?
First things first: get that resume in tip top shape. The worst thing you could do is to apply to an internship, and be unprepared and stuck trying to scramble and piece together a resume from scratch. Always have multiple versions of your resume handy, so that when it’s time to apply all you have to do is make small edits and send it in. If you’re not a freshman anymore, you need to take all of your high school activities off your resume other than your jobs. You can replace it with the activities and relevant coursework you’ve completed so far while in college.
Uhkaaaay so.. How do I find them?
Look for them – duh. You can’t expect internships to fall in your lap, nor can you expect them to be easy to get. Big companies like NBC Universal, Google, ESSENCE, etc. have tons of applicants each year. In order to get those big name internships, you have to make yourself stand out and to ensure that you’re marketable. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get picked, just turn that disappointment into motivation for you to find another one! Look on Google, in your respective major buildings, ask a professor, or reach out to someone in your field who you admire. You can even create your own internship with an organization – all you have to do is ask and see what they say! Paid or unpaid, the experience you gain from an internship will help you in the long run.
You go girl! Now that you’ve secured your internship tis time to shine. Prepare for your first day by writing down any questions that you have for your boss/ supervisor, and also write down a set of goals that you want to accomplish while you’re there. When you get there, talk to your supervisor and make sure that you fully understand your role and responsibilities, expectations of you, and to share your expectations of the internship with your boss.
Ayeee it’s lit, I got my internship! Now what?
Now that you have it, don’t lose it.
Number one way to lose your internship is by doing what you’re not supposed to. Scrolling on Instagram? Dub. Watching makeup tutorials at your desk? Dub. Snapchatting the time away? Super dub. You should treat your internship like a job and understand that your boss can let you go whenever they want. Leaving an internship on a bad note opens the door for your boss to refuse to write letters of recommendation for you, to confirm your internship, or to use them for references in the future. Remember, you get more bees with honey so stay sweet during your time there. You’ll thank yourself in the future!
That’s over, it’s cancelled.
So, it’s the end of your internship huh? You’ve got all this knowledge, experience and tips from your boss, now it’s time to go on your way. It’s always nice to give your boss some sort of sentimental gift i.e. a paper weight, Starbucks gift card, etc. ask if you can use them for future references, ask about your performance during the internship, and be sure to leave on a positive note.
Don’t get stuck at the same internship for too long, and like anything else in life if you’re unhappy – leave! Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have one yet, just stay positive and keep trying. You’ll be a #InternshipQueen before you know it.