The summer is right around the corner which means that internship season is upon us. You’ve spent hours applying and interviewing for this internship and with any luck, this could be a great start on your career. Before you show up for your first day on the job, make sure you set some goals for yourself to maximize this opportunity and make the most of your experience. Here are the Top 4 Goals for your Summer Internship.

Pick up a new skill

Every internship program will be different. Hopefully you landed something that is relevant to what you are studying in school. If there are a specific set of skills or software that you’ll need after graduation for a full time job, now is the time to learn that skill. Employers may put interns on a project where they learn to apply critical thinking to complex problems and provide solutions.

If there isn’t something specific, there are still many ways you can learn new skills whether it’s analyzing data on Microsoft Excel or helping your employers project manage multiple assignments. The experience that you gain now will be vital for you in the long run and your qualifications when you start that job once you graduate.

Tips for employers: Put interns in a position to perform meaningful work. Companies that are able to utilize interns in situations that they may put a new employeeinare able to get a sneak peek at the intern’s potential. Take advantage of the ability to “test drive” potential candidates for an entire summer.

Make connections

It’s very common for students to hate networking but as discussed in a previous post, it’s an essential part of the job search. Make connections at your internship. The connections you make here can help set you up for future opportunities. If you’re pursuing a full time opportunity at the same company as your internship, these connections can help determine whether you’re hired or not. If you’re considering other positions, the people that you work with can point you in the right direction, refer you to other people in their network, serve as mentors and guide you in your career path.

Tip for employers: Staying connected is also important for the employers. Form a relationship with the intern’s Career Services department and partner up for future opportunities and additional internships. The intern that you enjoyed having in your office over the summer will likely have classmates interested in being an intern next year.

Learn about the industry, not just your position

One way to grow within your internship is to learn as much as possible about the industry that you want to work in, and not just focus on your position. What may seem attractive on a surface level may not be the case once you’re inundated with assignments and deliverables every day. Whether it’s working in media, tech, hospitality, sports, or something else, learn as much as you can about the business and everything involved. This includes the different job functions and opportunities as well as the potential growth and outlook over the next 5-10 years.

By being curious and soaking information up like a sponge, you can put yourself in a position to determine if this is the right career path. It’s also important to rule things out if it’s not for you. There’s nothing wrong with going through an internship and realizing that you want to pursue a different industry, role or career altogether. Your internship is a learning process from start to finish.

Tips for employers: Invite the intern to functions both in and out of the office. Whether it’s a birthday party for a colleague, a networking event or social activity. Help the intern feel they’re a part of the team and the effort will be reciprocated.

Get feedback

Asking for feedback is a great way to reflect on your work and skills. By taking in suggestions and recommendations about areas you need to improve on or things you’re good at, it’ll allow you to seek the proper training and help when you’re back at school.

Receiving feedback will also allow you to determine your candidacy for any future job openings with the same company. These answers will also be helpful when you update your resume and speak to future employers about the type of work you have done.

Tips for employers: Talk to the intern about their experience. Ask them for feedback, what they enjoyed, what they learned, and what else you can do to improve the experience and the internship program. It’s always beneficial to get a fresh perspective on the way you conduct business and improving the overall experience within your company.

By

Kent Yuen