Intern Series: 5 Steps To Wrapping Up An Internship
Wrapping up an internship calls for a mix of emotions anywhere from the bittersweet goodbye/thank you to the anticipation of returning home to family and friends. For the final blog of the “Intern Series”, I’m sharing with you 5 steps you can take as you wrap up your internship!
1. Reflect
In your last few days/weeks, I recommend taking a moment to look back at the person you came in as on Day 1 to the person you are now. Ask yourself:
How did I grow as a person and professional?
Was this the experience I expected?
What can I take forward from this experience?
Now is the time to revisit your Professional Development Plan where you planed, tracked and achieved your professional goals throughout your internship. Reflection is one of the best ways we learn as human beings, that’s why it is #1!
2. Show Appreciation
The amount of time, effort, and resources put in for you to just have this experience was tremendous so it’s only right to thank those involved. From the recruiter who walked you throughout the application process to your manager who was with you each step of the way. Without these individuals we wouldn’t be the people we are today so give thanks!
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3. Loose Ends
The last thing you want to do is leave behind any unfinished business. Whether that be in regard to the completion of your summer project or returning company resources. It’s like they say, “you always want to leave the place better than you found it!”.
4. Connect and Connect Some More
I can’t stress this step enough - you spent all summer forging new relationships and you don’t want them to end just because your internship did! So, be sure to connect with your co-workers and peers on LinkedIn or other means. You never know, someone you met during an internship may reach out with the opportunity of a lifetime or just want to grab lunch while in your hometown!
5. Enjoy The Moment
Life moves quick as I’m sure you’re aware and the last thing you want to do is be so focused on the future that you forget to live in the present. So, be sure to
Enjoy that stroll around the office
Laugh with fellow interns
Ask that “stupid” question
Have fun! (most importantly)
You can only be an intern a handful of times in your life so be sure to take advantage of the opportunity while it’s at your fingertips!
I truly hope this series brought as much value to your life as a person, intern, and professional as it did for me as a writer! I thank each and everyone of you for following along with me on this journey and hope that our paths may cross in the future! Be sure to reach out to me on LinkedIn with any questions, comments, or tips!
Related:
Intern Series: 5 Ways To Be Successful In A Hybrid Internship
Intern Series: Micro-Internships- What Are They and Are They Worth It?
Intern Series: How To Get An Internship- Insights From A Real Intern
Intern Series: 4 Practical Tips To Preparing For An Internship
Meet The Writer!
Hello! My name is Joshua Moore and I like to think of myself first as a servant and next as a leader, so I guess you can call me a servant leader! I am currently a student at the University of Cincinnati studying Entrepreneurship with a minor in Marketing! I’ve always had a natural inclination towards content creation whether that be blog writing, social media, or multimedia creation! I see my “why” as helping and guiding others through this thing called life. So, in turn I enjoy writing about the perspectives I’ve gained in a way where all can derive unique/personalized value. Be sure to reach out on LinkedIn or any of my other outlets!
