Ending an internship can come with a variety of emotions — excitement if you’re eager to get back to school, sadness if you’ve enjoyed your experience, pride over what you’ve learned and accomplished.
No matter what you’re feeling, how you approach the end of your internship can make a difference in how it makes an overall impact on your professional journey.
Ready to wrap your internship on a great note? Here are six tips for making the most of your time.
Record and reflect on your accomplishments.
Internships come with countless learning opportunities, both big and small. As you prepare to end your internship, take time to reflect on everything you’ve worked on and key wins along the way. Look for data points that can help you boost your resume and LinkedIn profile.
And don’t forget to think about the soft skills you’ve built, as well!
“Enhancing communication, time management and other common soft skills is where I have seen the most value from my experiences.”
Trevor White, a Forvis Mazars intern who previously interned for Zimmer Biomet, a global company based in Warsaw, Ind., shared that soft skills were the biggest part of his learning experience.
“Enhancing communication, time management and other common soft skills is where I have seen the most value from my experiences,” he said.
Be sure to include them on your list of wins and look for ways you can talk about this development as you work to update your resume.
Take assessment of your goals.
What goals have you achieved throughout your internship? What did you learn from those experiences?
If there are any goals still lingering, look at your progress and assess if there’s still time to work toward reaching them. Consider your next steps, including how you might be able to continue working on those goals at a future internship.
“One of the most powerful things about an internship is it can teach you what you don’t like just as much as what you do like.”
This is also a good time to determine if an unfinished goal no longer meets your needs based on new insights and experiences. One of the most powerful things about an internship is it can teach you what you don’t like just as much as what you do like. If you entered your internship expecting one thing but you experienced a shift, some goals may no longer make sense for you.
Solidify your connections with colleagues.
Relationship building might be the biggest and most important part of an internship.
“The things I learned and the people I have met will always be an influence in how I approach my work in the future,” said Natalie Saunders, a tax intern at Steel Dynamics.
“Your colleagues are part of your growing network, and you never know what opportunities they can have in store for you down the road. For those you’ve built relationships with, make sure you’re connected on LinkedIn and know how to get in touch.”
Your colleagues are part of your growing network, and you never know what opportunities they can have in store for you down the road. For those you’ve built relationships with, make sure you’re connected on LinkedIn and know how to get in touch.
If there’s someone you’d like to get more face time with, now is the time! Ask them if they’d be willing to have coffee, lunch or a 15-minute meeting to get better acquainted.
Request feedback.
Feedback can feel scary. No one likes to hear if they’re doing something wrong! But receiving constructive feedback is key to your growth. Taking the initiative to reach out to colleagues you’ve worked closely with and asking for direct feedback will help you stand out. It will also give you valuable insights.
Chances are your internship will also end with a formal review. Be sure to take notes and set aside some time to reflect on the feedback you’re given. Consider your next steps for improvement and growth.
Say thank you.
Be sure to break out the old-fashioned thank-you notes! A handwritten note expressing your gratitude to your supervisor and any other key individuals you worked with can make a huge impression. Deliver it in person before your last day in the office or drop it in the mail within a week of your end date.
Be open to what’s next.
Before his internship at Cummins, Joseph Donlin had no intention of working in accounting or considering a CPA license. A pivotal connection at an INCPAS event led him to Cummins, where he’s now a full-time financial analyst for the corporation.
“Be open to what comes your way,” he said. You never know what doors an opportunity can open and what new paths and possibilities are there for you.
A little initiative can go a long way. If you had a great internship experience and are interested in returning, don’t hesitate to start that conversation. “Internships are great learning opportunities, but they are also great recruiting opportunities for companies to find and retain great workers,” reminded White.
Most accounting firms and corporate finance teams are eager for talent to fill their roles — and that talent could be you!
Next Steps in Your Professional Path