An Intern Thing: The Internship is Over…What Now?

It’is the beginning of August. Everyone is wrapping up their summer internships and getting ready to begin the new school year. Before you leave your internship, make an effort to schedule a 10-minute meeting with your internship supervisor and any executives you have helped out or done work for. You need to get some “face” time with these employees.

By CC Staff

The goal is for you to get just enough face time for them to remember you when you send them an email two months down the line. Don’t be scared to ask for this meeting. You have a 50/50 chance they will say YES. And if they say NO, not a big deal. Think of it as an added bonus if they let you.

If your employer does agree to sit down with you, have a list of questions prepared. You want to learn as much about the executive in the 10-minutes allotted as possible.

What to Say and Do During Your “Exit” Meeting From You Internship

1. Make a list of questions to ask your employer before you meet with him/her

2. Go in the meeting with a notepad and pen

3. Ask them where they went to school and make sure to tell them where you went to school (I always tell students to ask this question because you never know where similarities can be. Maybe they have kids or friends that went to your school. Maybe they went to the same school as you…you never know.)

4. Ask them how they got started and what companies they worked at before their current position

5. Make a clear statement about what you want to do when you graduate college.

6. Ask them if they have any advice or ways you can better prepare yourself for your dream job.

7. Ask them if they have any suggested reading materials, websites, magazine/newspaper subscriptions that you should read to better prepare yourself for the future job you want.

8. I always like to ask what a day in their life is like. This gives you a good idea of what your day-to-day would be and helps you imagine your future.

Now, make sure you write whoever you sit down with a Thank You note – HANDWRITTEN – when you leave your internship. Send them an email once a semester to check-in and let them know what you are up to. It is always good to stay in touch, just don’t email them too much.

Now, when you reach out to them in a few months, you have some substance to your conversations and you can reference what was said in your meeting.

Think about it. Make it happen.