1. Enjoy Yourself.
I strongly believe that enjoying yourself during the internship is what will keep you going. I don't see anything wrong with having fun while working at the same time. One thing I will do to trigger some excitement during my internship is to spend some time with the employees working there.
2. Avoid Negativity.
Being pessimistic won't start a career. In order to start something, you need to keep a smile on your face even though it's fake. Hence the phrase "Fake it to make it!" But I think being naturally positive will help more because being fake is just exhausting. Luckily, I'm optimistic!
3. Take Initiative.
Taking initiative is where leaders are made. This is a great opportunity to squirm your way through problems by thinking "outside the box" and showing your manager or supervisor what you're all about. It also indicates how determined you are to get the job done. With the tech skills I learned in college and Year Up, I'll take advantage of that strength and prove to everybody that I'm more than just an intern.
4. Never Shun a Chance to Learn More About the Company/Industry.
I placed this at number 4 because if you have no interest in learning about the company/industry, employees are going to think that you are just in for the job. I prefer learning more about the company before showing eagerness of obtaining a full-time spot, because I might won't like what the company is about.
5. Network, Network, Network.
I might not get hired after the internship phase, but at least I have connections from folks in the inside. Collecting business cards is one of my main objective during my internship. Well, collecting business cards is just one side of the process; I'm also going to share my number to build up my network, so everybody wins.
6. Don't be Afraid to Ask Questions.
I say this is more of a strength than a tip, because usually people who asks too many questions are the smart ones. They may seem annoying but from what I know, they are the ones who learn faster than those who are quiet. I'll keep that in mind when I'm in my internship.
7. Get as Much Exposure as Possible.
Getting noticed by everybody is going to be difficult, because you have to proof them that you can do more than the average individual. Being the "New Guy" in the company is exhilarating because you have most of the attention and that is the perfect time to deliver a good first impression.
8. Tackle all Tasks with Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude.
Bringing a positive vibe to the table will make your supervisor or manager believe you are willing to do anything to impress him/her. Tackling tasks with enthusiasm may seem that you are overachieving, but at least you will receive more assignments. Showing signs of enthusiasm on a task is what I'll do because boredom kills me.
9. Leave with Tangible Accomplishments.
Leaving with tangible accomplishments allows you to add some new sentences or phrases in your resume. Not to mention, having actual experience in a working environment. As much as possible, I'll tackle all tasks with enthusiasm and a positive attitude to receive more assignments and gain more experience.
10. Find a Mentor.
Finding a mentor is one of the key factors in getting to know everybody within the company. I don't particularly mean using them as a stepping stone to get to the top of the pyramid. I mean using them to help you get comfortable with the environment.
11. Set Personal Goals.
Everybody has a reason for being at their internship, mine is to earn a full-time job and to show everybody that I have the capability of getting things done expediently and efficiently.
12. Have Regular Meetings with your Supervisor(s).
Finally, having regular meetings with your Supervisor(s) is a great opportunity to know your strengths and weaknesses. They also offer some recommendations on how to overcome your weaknesses. This is something I should do because I do feel that I'm not meeting up to the expectations at times, especially in Year Up.
