You’re an intern! Probably not the best for your wallet, but the internship itself is worth its weight in gold. As an existing student (or recent grad), the internship you’re in right now can be the jumping off point for your entire career—but only if you play your cards right.
Yes, it would be great if the company offered you a full-time position towards the end of your internship, but nothing is guaranteed, and you can’t assume as much. Some companies simply don’t have the finances to create a paid position, beyond the small stipend you’re already receiving, others don’t have the workload to justify adding a new position, while in some cases you might be doing the internship though your school and it’s understood that the position won’t be extended to full-time upon completion. What you can do, however, is use your time as an intern to learn and grow from everyone around you, and maybe—just maybe—perform so well that you almost force the hand of your company to create a position to keep you around.
A company will always look at your character and personality when considering adding you on full-time.
Here are three things you should be doing to make the most of your internship (and show the company why it needs to hire you):
Say “Yes”
You might get a lot of small requests as an intern (e.g. mail a package), other on-spec requests that fit your job description, and even requests from other departments looking for a helping hand (and know that you probably don’t have the same workload as others in the company). Without pushing yourself to burnout, and without overloading your schedule, you should be as accommodating as possible to the requests that come your way. That’s not to say you can’t say “no”, when needed, but this is all about making a lasting impression and showing that you’re able to juggle multiple projects and tasks at once.
Remember, if you’re pushing for a job with the company, you need to show everyone—as the hiring manager might ask around—what you bring to the team. Saying “yes” shows your willingness to take on, and learn, new things. It also gives you exposure to all areas of the business and its internal teams, something that other people—long-term, full-time employees—may not even have.
In a full-time position this would obviously be much different, but as an intern your roles and expectations are a bit more flexible. Take advantage of that flexibility while you can.
Be As Social as Possible
Network within the company! Don’t have lunch at your desk, you need to be as social as you can with everyone in the company. Make a lasting impression. A company will always look at your character and personality when considering adding you on full-time. When someone asks if you want to grab a bite for lunch, say yes! Hang out in the kitchen if other employees are waiting for the coffee to brew. Do anything you can to show who you really are.
The second part to this is that the people you talk to will be more willing to lend a helping hand with your job search (for when your internship is over, assuming you know a job offer from the company isn’t heading you way) if you become a friend. They have connections and opportunities to share, and will only do so if you talk and laugh with them on a daily basis.
Take On a Daunting Project (aka Show What You’re Worth)
Interns come and interns go. If you really want to show your worth, and really want to bring something new to the table, show what you can do by taking on a challenge that you know the company will find value in and that will show your unique talents and abilities. Is there something that nobody in your department is willing to do? Or is there a project that needs to get done but nobody knows how to do it? Step in and show what you can bring to the table that no intern has ever brought before. Make a lasting impression.