Intern Series: Best Practices For Tracking Professional Growth At Work
Tracking professional growth while interning can be difficult especially when you might not have the analytics to back it up. But don’t fear!
Here are 4 ways YOU can track professional growth during your internship experience.
1. Set Goals Intentionally and Early
I might sound like a broken record but setting goals is vital to success and tracking growth. What I recommend is to take 15 minutes to yourself and think about what you want to get out of the experience and who you want to become in the end.
Do you want to further define your professional career vision or learn a new coding language such as Python? The possibilities are endless…if you write them down.
I recommend starting with a Professional Development Plan where you will learn how to plan, track and achieve your professional goals to help you grow in your career.
2. Find A Mentor
A Mentor/Mentee relationship is easily my favorite when it comes to tracking growth! Not only do mentors act as support systems but as I like to say mentors have accomplished what we desire so why not abide in them?
Going in line with advice #1 share your goals with them and let them help refine and track your progress.
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3. Use LinkedIn
LinkedIn has many use cases from staying updated on professional’s career updates to helping YOU find the perfect internship. While you're interning be sure to keep your profile up to date with new skills you’ve learned, memorable experiences you’ve had and how this has changed you.
Continually editing your profile forces you to recognize your growth and put it on paper (or a computer screen). Looking to up your LinkedIn game? Take our 30 Day LinkedIn Challenge.
4. Journal
One thing I have picked up within the last couple of years is journaling during my internship stints. This helps me look back and reflect on my experiences during that specific day that I may otherwise have overlooked. Lastly, having the chance to look back and reflect whether a week or year after allows for exponential growth from your past to present self!
5. Go In With A Plan
This may sound similar to multiple goals above but you must have a plan. The reason internships are a thing is to prepare you for the real world. So, don’t join a role “just because” as you’d be wasting valuable time, money, and will power.
Do what you love, challenge yourself, and find joy while you're doing it.
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!
