Summer Job Series: Internship Wrap-Up

Many of us have started the countdown until we move back into college, but let’s not jump the gun just yet. If you are still working at an internship, here are the ways to wrap it up, show your appreciation, and end on good terms. You can also do some of these things whether you’re working at a clothing store, restaurant, day camp, or anywhere!

FINAL WEEKS

  1. Ask for feedback. It’s important to learn how you performed. Ask your supervisor if you can go over your strengths and areas to improve upon.
  2. Talk to your colleagues about your career plans, they might have some helpful insight and advice that you would never think of. After all, they’ve been in the field longer than you have.
  3. Ask for a reference. This will help on your resume or a recommendation letter for future internships and jobs. Here is how to ask for one!
  4. Gather contact information: This goes along with keeping in touch. Get their full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and maybe their LinkedIn accounts.

LAST DAY

  1. Ask yourself this: did I like my internship? Why or Why not? Use this to determine how to move forward with where you want to go.
  2. This one goes without saying, but say thank you! These people have taken their time to teach you, mentor you, and help you have an experience of a lifetime! Make sure you thank everyone you need to! Let them know how much you appreciate their time.

POST-INTERNSHIP

  1. Follow up with handwritten Thank You notes.

    Follow-up with handwritten thank you notes to all the people you worked with/for. This will make you stand out against you colleagues who send an email.

  2. Update your resume! Add in your new experiences and what you’ve accomplished.
  3. Keep in touch with your supervisor. They can keep you posted on future job openings and will be a valuable resource.

Completing your internship can only open more doors towards bigger and better things. Wrapping up your final days properly will be beneficial to you in the future!

Written by Guest Blogger, Maria Cafferata

posted by Sandybn
08.02.12
tags: , , , , ,
leave a comment
Full posts →

Style Tips for Summer Interns

Here in NJ, as in many parts of the country, we are in the midst of a summer heat wave. The rising temperatures and humid air may seem like the perfect time to ditch the suit jacket and break out sleeveless dresses, but what happens when you get to work? If your office is anything like ours, it can only be described as freezing. To combat the cold air while maintaining an essence of professional style, consider keeping one (or more!) of these suggestions in your car or at your desk – your chattering teeth will thank you.

Old Navy cardigans come in several colors and styles and prices start at around $27.

1. Dresses and blouses alike are easy to pair with a cardigan. Think about what colors you typically wear to work and keep one handy that will match all of your outfits for the week.

2. An important meeting may come up at the last minute, so having a suit jacket on stand-by will ensure you are ready to liaise with your boss or other company higher-ups. Full posts →

posted by ErinBN
07.21.11
tags: , , ,
leave a comment
Full posts →

The Dos and Don’ts of Interning

Today’s job market is extremely competitive, so it’s important to have a positive impact on your summer employer. Here is some advice to help you make the best possible impression this summer. Happy Interning!

1. Do: Stay positive. Not every assignment you are given this summer will be exciting. Approach every task as a learning opportunity and as a chance to show you are a team player, even if you spend an entire day making photocopies or filing (I’ve been there).

2. Don’t: Post negative messages to your social network. Everyone has a bad day once in a while, but sharing less-than-pleasant thoughts about your boss or company via your social network is a bad idea. Current and future employers may scan your personal pages and you don’t want to risk your employment status because of one bad day.

3. Do: Develop your presence on LinkedIn. If you are not on LinkedIn already, take some time to build your profile. At the end of the summer, you’ll want to connect with the people you worked with and ask for recommendations so future employers have solid references of your work. CollegeDegrees.com has a great article to help you use LinkedIn effectively.

4. Don’t: Send casual emails to your colleagues. You may reach a comfort level with the people you work with, but keeping your communications professional will help them see you in that light. The same idea applies to phone and in-person conversations as well.

5. Do: Send thank you notes. In a Forbes blog post, Michael Matthews says to send a hand-written thank you card to people who have taught you something during your internship and to those who helped you get your foot in the door.

6. Don’t: Ignore the dress code. You want to show that you are professional and hard-working. Stick to the dress code as it was explained to you at the start of your internship, even if you see other people breaking it on occasion.

7. Do: Ask questions when you have them. Your employer would rather you get clarification on something before spending time headed in the wrong direction. QuintCareers.com says to “seek advice and raise questions whenever you encounter something that is not familiar to you.”

Did you receive helpful advice as an intern? Share what you would add to these tips below.

posted by ErinBN
07.12.11
tags: , ,
leave a comment
Full posts →