8 Tips for Finishing Your Internship on a High Note

The experience gained during an internship is integral to professional development. Interns are offered invaluable opportunities to build skills, network, and gain insight into their chosen field. As your internship comes to an end, it’s important to finish strong and leave a lasting impression. Here’s how to successfully conclude your internship and set the stage for future career success.

Reflect

As your internship winds down, spend some time reflecting on your experiences. Take note of what you’ve learned, skills you’ve developed, and how they align with your career goals. Reflecting helps you measure your growth and identify any areas that need improvement. In the past we’ve spoken about how tracking your accomplishments can be beneficial, so consider keeping records of significant projects, feedback you’ve received, and personal achievements. This will make reflecting on your experiences much easier.

Seek Feedback

Feedback is integral to personal and professional development. Before your final day, schedule a meeting with your manager or supervisor to discuss your performance. In preparation for your meeting, come up with questions you can ask to help you gain insight into your strengths and weaknesses. Here are some sample questions to help you get started:

• What areas did I excel in during my internship?
• Are there any skills I should focus on developing further?
• How can I improve my performance for future roles?

It’s important to take feedback with an open mind. The advice you receive can be applied to future experiences and will help you grow as a professional.

Update Your Resume

With your internship experience fresh in your mind, spend some time updating your resume. Here, you can highlight specific achievements, skills you’ve acquired, and significant projects you’ve worked on. As always, quantifiable examples work best, so be sure to include any that you might have. Along with your resume, consider updating your LinkedIn profile so you’re all ready to begin your job search. If you don’t already have a LinkedIn, now is the perfect time to create one.

Request a Letter of Recommendation

A strong letter of recommendation can be an incredibly powerful tool in future job searches. If you’ve built a good relationship with your manager, supervisor, or a senior colleague, ask them for a letter of recommendation. To make their life easier, provide them with a summary of your accomplishments and the skills you demonstrated during your internship so they can write a detailed and supportive letter. Once again, having personal records will make this much easier.

Express Gratitude

At the end of your internship, show appreciation to those who supported you. You may do this by writing personalized thank you notes or emails to your supervisors, mentors, and colleagues. Here, mention specific ways in which they’ve helped you grow and express your gratitude for their guidance and support. A sincere thank you can leave a lasting positive impression and will strengthen your professional relationships.

Assess the Company

Now that you’ve spent enough time with the company you interned for, you should be able to fairly assess whether you’d like to work there full-time. Consider aspects such as company culture, growth opportunities, and how well your values align with the company’s. If you’re interested in staying with the company, now is the perfect time to express this to your manager or supervisor while inquiring about potential opportunities.

Keep in Touch

An internship is an excellent opportunity to expand your professional network. Throughout your internship, you should take the time to connect with colleagues, supervisors, and other interns on LinkedIn. As the internship concludes, be mindful of new connections you’ve made and make the effort to maintain them through regular interactions. This will keep you on their radar and may also lead to future opportunities.

Create a Plan

As your internship ends, consider your next career move. Reflect on how this experience aligns with your career goals and what steps you need to take next. Whether it’s applying for jobs right away, pursuing further education, or seeking out another internship, having a clear plan will help you stay focused and motivated.

There’s more to being successful in your internship than just simply completing your tasks. It’s about reflecting on your experiences, seeking valuable feedback, and planning the next steps for your career. With these tips, you’ll leave a lasting impression, build a strong professional network, and be prepared for the next stage of your career. Remember, how you conclude your internship can have a significant impact on your professional journey, so put your best foot forward as the experience comes to an end.