Internships are a career path rite of passage. Paying your dues is all part and parcel of getting to where you want to be in life and once you’ve staked your claim in a company, you can go on to realize great and wonderful things. With paid jobs getting fewer and far between, though, actually landing yourself a position at the end of your internship can be the biggest struggle of all. In order to increase your chances of success, you need to prove yourself. Your internship is about how you perform from start to finish, so take every opportunity that comes your way; you never know what the future may hold.
- Show Your Initiative
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Your internship is your chance to show your ability to work in the real world, take direction and learn from your mistakes. You are only as good as your behaviour when you’re on the job, so make sure you’re showing off your abilities in their best possible light. When the occasion calls for it, try taking your initiative and pitching a creative solution. Taking leadership – where appropriate – will only show your boss what you can really do and if you’re good enough, you might just continue on to bigger and brighter things.
- Prove Your Value
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Every working environment is a machine and, depending on how efficient each part is, the office will either run smoothly, or it won’t at all. Even as an intern, you are vital to the continuous running of the company, so make sure you take your position seriously. Proving how you can be valuable both within your role and to other members of the team can show your leader how you might fit into the office in the future. Try to connect with as many people as you can. The more you know, the more invaluable you will be!
3. Treat It Like A Real Job
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Whether you’re a full or part time intern, you should treat your position in the company as if it were your career. Working as hard as you can, proving your worth and pitching in are all part and parcel of excelling in the role, giving your boss an insight into how you can work in the future. Going above and beyond your role is a fantastic way to prove your worth and make you indispensable to the company. The more that you work in your internship, the more that you will learn about a future in the business.
- Keep It Upbeat
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A happy team is a healthier team. Maintaining a positive mindset is a great way of connecting with your colleagues and getting more done throughout the day. Even when you’re feeling down in the dumps, giving the situation a positive spin can help both your mindset and those of the people around you. People generally like to do business with individuals they like, so try and make a friendly connection to as many of your colleagues as you can.
- Make Lasting Connections
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Often, your job goes well beyond the 9 to 5 and it is the connections that you make with people outside of your daily tasks that really last. When you arrive, try introducing yourself to the rest of the team, or asking other colleagues for insight and input. If your company has any events or social groups, make yourself a part of what’s going on. By connecting to as many people as possible, you will become a regular face around the office. Soon, you might just become a permanent member of the team.
- State What You Want
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As much as you can prove yourself and connect with your colleagues, you need to be explicit about what you expect to gain out of your internship. If you’ve set your sights on a career, try taking a few quiet moments to discuss your future potential with your boss. By being clear from the outset, you give yourself the best possible chance of being kept on and getting that all elusive job at the company of your dreams!
