The intern diaries: The final week

by Jules Miller

My time with Charles Aris Executive Search has been nothing short of a great learning and career-building experience. Internships can open doors to new opportunities, so it’s important to make sure you leave a good impression. As I prepare to exit my internship, here are some things for you to consider when you exit yours.

Take inventory of your accomplishments

Make sure you know what you did with the company throughout your internship. If you wrote blogs, get the links to them. If you designed something, get a copy or send yourself the file. If you revised things the company had already developed, make sure you have before and after images or files. This way you’ll show how you personally impacted the organization. You can use these in the future as portfolio examples of your skills for other jobs or internships you may apply to.

Leave nothing behind

If you’re working physically in an office, be thorough when you move yourself out of your workspace. Leaving things behind could make them difficult to get back – and you don’t want to have a potential reconnection with the business you interned with to be colored by a forgotten item.

If you’re working remotely, return any technology you may have received as a part of the internship. If you’re mailing it back, mail it securely with proper padding like bubble wrap or other cushioning.

Ask for recommendation(s)

You worked closely with a team, or at least a supervisor, during your internship. This person (or persons) saw you grow from being a fresh face in the company to being established as a valued member of the team, even if temporarily. It’s a good idea to ask if they’d be comfortable writing a positive recommendation for you, or if they would feel comfortable being a reference. This will build your credibility as you move forward in the workforce. For added impact, ensure the written recommendation is personalized to your experience at the organization.

Update your résumé

Updating your résumé and keeping it from becoming outdated is important. You’ll be able to compose a thorough description for your résumé much more easily if you write it on the heels of an internship. Don’t neglect your LinkedIn profile, either. It serves as a digital résumé that can be accessed by hiring authorities, so it’s equally important to update.

Overall, being an intern has taught me valuable things about both myself and the professional world, and I hope you’ve gained knowledge from my experience, too. Thank you for reading!