Spring 2021 Internships are Beginning…What Makes a Successful Intern?

The beginning of the spring semester marks the anticipated start of many internships.

Internships offer students the valuable opportunity to put the theories and concepts learned in the classroom into real-life practice. Today more than ever, gaining hands-on experience and enhancing your resumé is vital to standing out in a competitive job market. Internships are an important professional development experience that allow students to get their foot in the door and cultivate the skills necessary to build a successful career.

Be ready from day one by reading and understanding what makes an intern successful.

To be a successful intern, it’s important to first understand why companies choose to hire interns. This knowledge provides a sense of what employers are looking for when they bring on new members to their team. As companies seek a fresh business perspective coming into the New Year, interns offer unique insight and youthful creativity that can help spark inspiration for strategic initiatives. They are often in touch with the latest trends and have a strong social media foundation, which can help to enhance business marketing strategy. Companies look to new hires to reduce overall employee workload and provide support on projects that may need an extra set of hands. This ultimately increases efficiency and allows companies to meet their goals and deadlines. The relationship between the intern and the company should be mutually beneficial and advantageous.

Another notable reason why a company hires interns is to identify potential talent for long-term employment. Internships are often seen as a pipeline for entry level staff; they allow employers to know whether the individual is a good fit for the company and create an easier transition into a full-time position. Therefore, the importance of internships should not be understated. As interns prepare to begin their spring internships, they should carefully consider how they fit in with the company structure and overall workflow.

So, what makes a successful intern? Technical skills and job-specific abilities are undeniably vital, and interns should be sure they meet the required qualifications to perform the tasks asked of them. These skills will differ depending on the job position and the industry. Speaking on more broad terms, however, all employers look for a core set of skills and traits when considering internship applicants.

Below are several key skills most employers across any industry seek:

1. Initiative

A very important characteristic of a strong intern is the ability to take initiative. Prove that you have something to offer and have the entrepreneurial mindset to influence positive change. Don’t wait to receive direction for every task, but take it upon yourself to initiate projects, get involved and ask questions. However, equally important is receptiveness; while taking initiative is important, so is the ability to receive and apply feedback.

2. Communication

This trait manifests itself in a variety of ways, but employers are mainly concerned with your ability to convey ideas and information effectively and professionally. Interns should possess strong interpersonal skills that allow them to contribute thoughtfully to conversation, as well as the confidence to speak up when questions and issues arise. Strong communication and interpersonal skills create the opportunity to build and maintain relationships and are vital in any team environment.

3. Adaptability and Flexibility

In today’s work culture especially, these traits are extremely important. Whether it is adjusting to the virtual environment or jumping to different departments within the organization, an intern is expected to wear many different hats. The ability to adapt to change and be flexible with work assignments proves your value, makes you a more highly desired employee and a well-rounded individual.

4. Positive Attitude and Desire to Learn

A positive attitude creates an environment of learning and communication. Interns may not be asked to do the most glamorous work, however approaching assignments with enthusiasm demonstrates a desire to learn and be involved in all aspects of the company. A positive attitude and inquisitive nature leave a strong impression and help to facilitate effective collaboration.

5. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking demonstrates your ability to strategically solve problems and be resourceful in completing assignments. Strong research and analytical skills are sought after traits that demonstrate an individuals’ critical thinking abilities. Interns who are capable of carefully and systematically analyzing situations and logically evaluating possible solutions are highly desirable for any position.

A successful intern embodies this qualities. They take initiative, over communicates, are flexible, stays positive and thinks critically.

These are commonly identified skills that employers seek in interns, as well as applicants for entry-level jobs. In addition to these traits, interns should be sure to research their particular industry and familiarize themselves with other skills that may be desirable in their position. Successful interns will be those who take these ideas into consideration and mindfully put them into practice. We wish the best of luck to all students beginning their spring internships!

Have questions? Drop them in the comments section!