In lieu of Internship Awareness Month platitudes, it’s only right to discuss the stress that every intern faces as graduation begins to creep around the corner and the worry of finding a full-time position. This period can be filled with uncertainty and anxiety as interns across various fields strive to secure their place in the professional world. Plenty of strategies exist during your current internship to help alleviate some of the stress and improve your chances of landing a position at your dream job!
One of the most critical steps you can take is actively building relationships and networking within your chosen field. Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards; it’s about creating connections who can offer advice, support, and potentially lead to job opportunities. From personal experience, a simple conversation with a classmate can lead you in a different direction than offers on LinkedIn and Indeed. The relationships you build during your internship serve as the foundation of your professional network.
While in college, seize every opportunity to gain as much experience as possible. Internships, part-time jobs, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities can provide valuable experiences that can help you in your future job search. These experiences are not only about padding your resume but also help you figure the best environments for you to thrive in the future.
Most importantly, take the time to perfect your professional portfolio. This includes your resume, cover letter, website and LinkedIn profile. Take advantage of mentors around you to further prepare you for the next steps. Your professional portfolio is often your first impression with potential employers, so make sure it accurately reflects your skills, experiences, and professional goals. When the right job comes along, you want to be fully prepared to present yourself in the best possible light.
The journey from intern to full-time employment can be daunting, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and ask for help from mentors! What you learn during your internship builds the foundation for your professional career.
