Summer internship: Why it is crucial and how to make the best of it

Summer internships is a major constituent of a good MBA programme. Top companies visit B-Schools to pick students to train them in their premises amid real life business dealings. It is an important step towards building managerial skills as well as learning about self. Experience gained during that period can be extremely valuable. So how can you draw the most from your internship? We’ve listed below a few points that you need to keep in mind to make the best of your summer internship.

Know your company: If you are serious about your degree, it is most likely that you would have ample knowledge about the company. However, extra knowledge never harmed anyone. So before your internship starts, read all about the company. Check its website and read annual reports. Make a use of Google, Linked In, Quora, etc. to gather information about the company. How is the financial health of the company for the past six month? Any special achievement in the past six months? Or any controversy in the last six months? Find out everything about the company, it will show that you have done your homework.

Reach office early: Punctuality is one of the most desired trait in the corporate world. If you are a punctual person then you needn’t worry but if you are those who put their alarms on snooze every morning, change the habit. Reaching office before time will not only make a good impression on others but will also give you ample time to settle down and prepare for the day before your seniors and colleagues arrive. Internships are of short durations so make the most of working hours. Come early, leave late and learn as much as you can.

Shed your ego: Interns bein gasked to fetch coffee or printouts is a universal thing. None of us have been spared from that. So relax! Initially, the manager may not give you big responsibilities and most probably judge you on the basis of how well you do any job assigned to you, even if it is menial.

You may be a topper in your class or studying in a top B-school but during internship you will be dealing with far more competent and experienced people. Shrug off your ego and be ready to do every job and do it well. Because if you are not good at even the simplest of jobs, your manager is unlikely to trust you with bigger responsibilities.

Impress your manager: Your manager is going to write your review, so make sure he is happy with your performance. Initially, you might face problems adjusting with him but that’s what internship is all about – dealing with people in an actual business scenario. Understand his expectations, be patient with his demands, adjust to his working style, communicate with him and ask him for regular, may be weekly feedback and work upon your weak areas.

A healthy relationship with your manager will be fruitful in future at the time of reference or job change.

Set goals and deadlines for yourself: Although, B-Schools prepare their students for corporate culture from the very beginning, adjusting to that environment may not be easy for many. The best way to tackle this is to set small goals and short deadlines. Break down your project to daily efforts and output and keep a record; weekly or monthly whatever suits you. It sounds unexciting but it will be worth it.

Ask questions and learn from your mistakes: No matter where you come from or what you’ve learnt, everyday teaches you a new thing. This is true not only about work but also life. Don’t be afraid of doing something for the fear of making a mistake, because there’s no such thing like mistake, there’s only learning. Keep a record of jobs you did well, mistakes you made and what you learnt from them. It will help you analyze your strength and weaknesses.

Don’t shy away from asking questions. Show interest and eagerness to learn. Be it your manager or any colleagues, everyone will have something to teach you, but only if you are willing to learn.

Be Professional: Be professional in every area. Right from dressing up to electronic communication, be professional for you are representing an organization. Learn the tropes fast and don’t forget to respect the boundaries. Plus, professionalism is one quality every corporate house digs. A competent employee who is professional and dedicated is worth more than a genius but unprofessional employee.

Utilize your time: If you see something you can do, take the responsibility to do it instead of waiting to be asked to do it. Take initiatives. If you have completed the given job, don't sit. Go and ask your manager if you can do something else or help him in any way. Internship is the golden opportunity given to you to learn, acquire knowledge and experience, build your CV and expand your network. So don’t while away your time at the coffee machine chatting away with colleagues or on phone. If for nothing, you need to do it for a positive review.

Networking: Summer internship is for a very short duration and it may not be possible for each of your colleagues to remember you afterwards. Make sure you have a cordial relation with them by the end of internship as in today’s world professional network and inter-industry connection are a great necessity. Introduce yourself to seniors, take lunch breaks with employees, interact with other interns and leave a good impression on all of them. Connect with them on social media platforms and business forums. Also, attend events and seminars.

Summer internship is self-discovery: Summer internships are essentially a means to measure your growth at the B-school so far. On papers, it contributes to your final marks and adds depth to your CV. But most importantly, it is a means by which you discover your strength and weaknesses viz-a-viz the field. New experiences, new learnings, new discoveries—all these contribute to making of a complete professional.

Take your summer internship seriously. It is not only a CV building exercise; it’s a character building exercise too.

Also read:

Accepting a job offer in campus placement	Average salary package of non-IIM graduates in India: NIRF-MHRD Rankings
International salary packages offered at top Indian B-schools	When is an MBA valuable?
The US most preferred MBA destination for Indian students	Why joining a start-up immediately after MBA is a good choice
Pursuing MBA: Factors that should determine college selection	How to create a standout MBA resume

 

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