How to get the most out of your summer internship?

Summer internships are a crucial part of every MBA programme. The six weeks (or three months) of internship are gives an insight to the managerial roles and helps set expectations in future. Candidates gain a much-needed exposure to the industrial and corporate world.

An internship is essentially a six-week or three-month interview. Candidates may or may not receive a pre-placement offer (PPO) / pre-placement interview (PPI) later on.

We recently caught up with IIM Ahmedabad student Saurabh Gupta to know how to land a successful summer internship. 5 tips to land that summer internship

But how does one make the most of their summer internship?

To try and answer the above question, we have collated advice from various MBA students and professionals.

Here are five ways to get the most out of summer internship:

 

1. Expectations

It is extremely important to know what are you expected to do. Speak to your seniors on the first day and have a clear picture of your profile. Knowledge of ‘what is expected from you’ guides towards good performance and clarity of thoughts. In short, it is important to get the basics right and know every detail available of the project.

 

2. Deliverables

Deliverables and solutions are the basics of any job profile. You are hired to solve or work on a certain problem or conduct smooth operations. So, the next thing is delivering your assignments on time. If you run into any trouble, don’t be afraid to discuss it with the managers and other executives.

 

3. Feedback

Be receptive to any kind of feedback you receive – positive or negative. Irrespective of whether you land the job or not, be professional at every corner. One way to go about it, is to get talking to your manager. 

 

4. Skill-development

Focus on skill development in these few days of internship. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a mundane or high-profile role. Every profile has something unique to offer. Soak up all available information like a sponge. These skills can come handy a later stage in life. Also, be a team player and participate in every task willingly.

 

5. Networking

Networking is extremely important for MBA students. So don’t hesitate to develop contacts in the office. The networking doesn’t end after three-months. Keep in touch through Linkedin, Twitter and Facebook. Internship is a great way to develop relationships with people at all levels. There may be other interns working with you. Stay in touch with them, as they might be able to further your career. You may also request your manager and other executives to write a recommendation for you or act as reference.

 

 

Here are 6 more tips for a successful summer internship