6 Must Dos Before Leaving Your Summer Internship

Your summer internship is almost over, and after working hard for the past few months, it’s time to focus on making the most of this opportunity. Your internship has given you a chance to get some hands-on experience in your chosen field, and make some connections that could pay off when you start looking for a job after graduation. To leave a lasting, favorable impression upon your employers, make sure to take advantage of the tips below!

1. Write Thank You Notes 
   Take time to write out personal thank you notes to the people you’ve been working with this summer. These notes should go to your direct supervisor, the intern coordinator (if one exists,) as well as the employees who helped you out along the way. Thank you notes give you a chance to express your gratitude while also saying a friendly goodbye.
    
2. Ask for Letters of Recommendation 
   Don’t be shy about asking your supervisor or other higher ups that you worked with to write out letters of recommendation for you. These letters serve as valuable references once you begin your job search. Having them write these out now, rather than at a later point in time, makes it easier for them since your internship (and your great skill set!) is still fresh in their minds. 
   
   
3. Don’t Leave Projects Unfinished 
   If you’ve been helping out with certain projects or if you’ve been given your own projects to complete, do your best to make sure these are finished by the time you leave. If you don’t think you’ll be done in time, go over what you’ve been doing with employees so they’ll know what still needs to be done. This gives them the impression that you’re responsible enough to care about the work you’ve been doing and want to make sure it’s done well. 
   
   
4. Stay in Touch 
   Ask for email addresses of employees you’d like to stay in contact with, so you can keep those connections going after your internship. It’s important to further the professional relationships you’ve built, so that you can begin to build your network. You can also connect with them on LinkedIn, which will keep you up-to-date on what the company is doing. 
   
   
5. Update Your Resume 
   Potential employers will appreciate seeing that you’ve had some experience working in your field. Make sure they know this right away by including your internship information on your resume. You should also add it to your LinkedIn profile if you have one. Employers who are checking out your profile will be able to immediately see your internship experience. 
   
   
6. Meet With Your Supervisor 
   If possible, ask for a meeting with your supervisor before you leave. Take this opportunity to let them know how much you’ve enjoyed working for the company this summer. If this is a company you would really like to work for after graduation, let your supervisor know. You already have a foot in the door thanks to your internship; give them a heads up that you’d like to become a permanent employee in the near future.
   

The company who hires you for your internship may very well become the first professional position you’re offered after you complete your degree. Quite often, it’s the simple things that make all the difference in creating a valuable experience that will provide a stepping stone for your professional goals.

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