Finished your internship? Here’s what to do next
Congratulations, you completed your internship! Whether you spent the summer exploring a new industry, building new skills or discovering what kind of work you enjoy, your internship is more than just a line on your resume. Taking a few simple steps now can help you make the most of your experience and prepare for your next internship or job.
Thank the people who supported you
Before your internship ends, take a few minutes to thank the people who helped you along the way. A thoughtful thank-you note or email to your supervisor, mentor or teammates shows your appreciation and leaves a positive impression.
It’s also a great time to connect with colleagues on . The relationships you build during an internship can lead to future opportunities, whether that’s a recommendation, mentorship or even another job down the road.
Reflect on what you learned
Internships help you build more than technical knowledge. They also give you a chance to learn about yourself.
Think about questions like:
- What projects or responsibilities did I enjoy most?
- What skills did I develop?
- What kind of work environment helped me do my best?
- What would I like to learn next?
Reflecting on your experience can help you identify what you’re looking for in future internships or jobs and make it easier to talk about your experience during interviews.
Need help putting your skills into words? Career Services’ MySkills program can help you identify and communicate the strengths you’ve developed through internships, jobs, volunteer work and other experiences.
Update your resume and online profiles
Don’t wait until you’re applying for your next opportunity to update your resume. Add your internship experience while it’s still fresh in your mind.
Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, highlight the impact you made. Whenever possible, include measurable results. For example, instead of saying you “managed social media,” you could write that you “increased social media engagement by 23%.”
Be sure to update your LinkedIn, Handshake and other professional profiles, too. Keeping everything current makes it easier to apply for future opportunities and share your experience with employers.
If you’d like another set of eyes, Career Services can review your resume and help you highlight the skills and accomplishments employers are looking for.
Use your experience to prepare for what’s next
Your internship can be a steppingstone to what’s next.
As the semester begins, look for ways to build on what you’ve learned. Attend career fairs, explore internships and jobs in Handshake or meet with a career advisor to talk about your goals. You can also practice answering interview questions so you’re ready to confidently talk about your internship experience when opportunities arise.
Your internship may be over, but the experience can continue to shape your goals, applications and next steps. No matter where you are in your career journey, Career Services offers workshops, career advising and resources to help you move forward with confidence.