Your Internship is Over—Now What?

Interns – you did it! By now, you’ve either crossed the finish line on your summer internship or are saying goodbye any day now. Over the last few months, you’ve gained valuable experience in your field and made a few new connections to help you get some professional traction. Now is your time to shine!

Read on to learn how you can successfully leverage this opportunity into the next step of your career with confidence. 

Your Guide to Career Success After an Internship 

Reflect and Evaluate

Here’s the most important step to take after your internship: slow down! Take some much-needed time to truly reflect on your experience. What did you enjoy about your internship? What skills did you develop? Understanding these aspects will help you pinpoint your career direction. 

If you need some help with this, our Now What guide is the perfect self-reflection tool to help you dive into a real action plan tailored to your unique goals and career aspirations. 

Update Your Resume and LinkedIn 

Be sure to add your internship experience to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Highlight achievements and skills you gathered along the way. 

Consider adding your achievements, too. What did you accomplish during your internship? Use those metrics to quantify your impact. This makes your contributions crystal clear to potential employers. 

Network and Stay in Touch

Maintain connections with your internship supervisors and coworkers. Even a simple thank-you email can go a long way! Stay active on LinkedIn by sharing insights and engaging with your network, keeping yourself on their radar. 

Your professional network can be a major game-changer when looking for work. You know that phrase, “It’s who you know,”? You never know when a simple comment on a LinkedIn post could turn into a promising job opportunity! 

Apply What You’ve Learned

Identify ways to apply the skills and knowledge gained during your internship to future roles. Whether it’s learning a new software or simply enhancing your teamwork skills, make these strengths a focal point in your job applications and interviews. 

Employers nowadays aren’t just looking for technical skills and degrees – though those are important, too. Hiring managers also want to know that you can be a team player and that you’re truly willing to learn. These soft skills, including things like emotional intelligence and communication, can be the difference between you and another top candidate. 

Seek Feedback

Request feedback from your internship supervisor. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights for your professional growth and help you improve in areas you may not have noticed. 

Explore New Opportunities

Use the experience and connections from your internship to explore new job opportunities. Attend industry events, join professional groups, and actively apply for positions that align with your career goals. 

You can also partner with a recruiter who can help you find the perfect job for you. They’ll not only match your skills with a top employer in your area, but they’ll also make sure the company culture and values align with yours.

Stay Positive and Persistent

We won’t lie to you – the job search can be really challenging. It’s not cliche to say that perseverance is key. One of the most important things you can do for yourself during a job search is to stay positive.  

Remember that every application and interview is one step closer to your ideal career, even if it seems to be taking forever to hear that “yes” in a sea of “nos.”  

TRN is Here to Help

Navigating the transition from intern to professional can be a little scary, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our recruiters can help you build up your job seeker toolkit so you’re equipped for whatever comes your way! 

Download our “Now What” guide today to start creating a tangible and practice action plan to get that dream job.  

By focusing on these strategies, you can turn your internship experience into major career success. Keep moving forward, stay connected, and utilize every opportunity to grow professionally. Your next career adventure is just around the corner!