How to be Successful During Your Internship

How Do I Make The Most Out of my Internship?

Share your Learning Objectives with your Supervisor at the beginning of your Internship. Discussing your learning objectives with your supervisor engages them in your learning process. Supervisors can help facilitate your learning of new skills and knowledge during your internship.

Setting and keeping a regular meeting time with your supervisor each week is a vitally important step in ensuring a successful internship.

As soon as you start an internship, arrange a time that works for both of you. And be sure to set longer or more frequent meetings in the first couple weeks of your internship because that’s when you’re most likely to need assistance and training. In general, you should never be afraid to ask questions during your internship. Supervisors respect engaged learners who show curiosity. Sometimes it is more appropriate to keep a list of questions to ask at your regular meeting.


Attitude has a huge impact on your experience, and it can make or break your internship. If you show your supervisor that you’re flexible and hard-working, they’ll be more likely to view you as a potential future employee. You should think of your internship as one long job interview.

Demonstrate all of the qualities that would be desirable in an employee. Show up on time, communicate clearly, work hard, ask questions when you don’t understand, take responsibility, and show initiative.

Some people say the most useful thing about their internship was the opportunity to network and meet professionals in their field. When you’re at your internship, be social and friendly. If possible, attend staff meetings and client meetings. Also, see if there are opportunities for you to attend professional events like seminars and conferences.

Offices have different norms about communication, attire, and the use of technology. Many students like to have Facebook running in the background and take personal cell phone calls. In some offices, this behavior is commonplace and perfectly acceptable. In others, it is viewed as tremendously unprofessional and distracting. You should be aware that there is something of a generation gap in attitudes about the use of technology in the workplace. A successful intern will quickly determine and follow the norms of their particular office.

Similarly, you will want to learn and follow office norms regarding dress. Sometimes clothes that are very fashionable on campus are wildly out of place in offices where the majority of employees dress in business casual or more formal attire. Take your cues from the office’s professional staff. Avoid overly revealing or tight clothing. You want the focus to be on your knowledge, skills, abilities, and strengths, not your body.

If you get there and realize the internship isn’t a perfect fit, remember that it’s only temporary. Get what you can from the experience. Remember that it can still be a good opportunity to network, and it may lead to your next internship or job.

Last Updated June 21, 2023