It's intern season again. That means thousands of ambitious college students and recent grads are about to embark on an eight-week (or longer) journey in which they'll (hopefully) gain invaluable experience.
Not only will each intern get their foot in the door — but they’ll also have the opportunity to hone their skills, build their résumés, network with professionals, and increase their chances of landing a full-time position.
"This internship may be the start of a long-standing career in the industry," says Ryan Kahn, a career coach, founder of The Hired Group, and author of "Hired! The Guide for the Recent Grad." "So you'll want to use this opportunity as a way to start developing yourself as a professional who delivers quality work with a great attitude. In turn this could lead to recommendations, lasting business relationships, and a full-time job."
To make the most of their experiences and stand out from the crowd, interns should always do these 15 things:
SEE ALSO: The terrible piece of career advice I got over and over again as a college student
1. Do your homework before your first day
You most likely researched the company while preparing for the interview. Even so, the night before your start date you should refresh your memory and do some additional research on the organization's history and culture, says Kerry Schofield, a psychologist and chief psychometrics officer at Good.Co, a professional assessment and self-improvement platform.
"By being prepared, you will feel more confident going into the internship," Kahn adds. "Start your first day with a general understanding of the industry, its buzzwords, the company, and your boss. This will make you sound more knowledgeable and confident." You can also setup a Google alert for the company to track any recent press, he says.
2. Dress for success
"You've heard, 'Dress for the position you want, not the one you have,' a million times," Kahn says. "Find out from the hiring manager what the office environment is like, and take it from there." It is better to be known as the best-dressed intern than to be known as the one who is too casual.
"In general, dressing and acting professionally not only gives a good impression and makes it clear that you're willing to make an effort, it can be psychologically beneficial," Schofield explains. Research has shown that the way people dress affects not only the way others see them, but also how they see themselves, including how they think and feel about their own abilities and the work they're doing. "'Dressing for success' really does work."
3. Treat the internship like a real job
If you want the employer to take you seriously, you need to take the job seriously. "To get the most of an internship, regardless of the pay, interns should treat their internship like they would any job," Schofield says.
You need to remember that your work will have an impact on the organization. "You're learning in an active, real-world environment, so your contributions (and your mistakes) affect other people."
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