Article co-written by Quentin PEDELABORDE, HRBP IT at SQORUS, and Paloma MAYET-HUMBERT, work-study student in charge of marketing and innovation at SQORUS, to offer you a dual perspective: that of an experienced HR professional and that of a work-study student who lives this experience on a daily basis.
How can you make a success of your internship by maximizing your learning experience and creating a springboard for your professional career?
Doing an internship with a company and making a success of it are two different things. It’s not only an immersion in the professional world, but also a key opportunity for your future projects within a recognized organization.
This professional experience requires careful preparation to ensure effective learning and, of course, successful integration into the company. From defining your objectives to completing your final assessment, and including your integration and your professional posture, discover all our advice to make a success of your internship and optimize your professional training!
Whether you’re an intern or a work-study student, these tips will help you make the most of your professional experience.
Define your expectations and objectives
Establishing a climate of motivation means defining the tasks and aspects that are most important to you in this job, to give a clear direction to your career plan.
This will enable you to play an active role in your training, in particular by drawing up a list of the skills you wish to develop and acquire through your various assignments; an important step in measuring your progress and objectives during your internship.
Here are some typical questions to ask yourself before your internship:
- What are my career plans?
- How can this internship help me with my future projects?
- What challenges would I like to meet in this internship?
- How will I measure my progress?
Your internship objectives will be the first key step in your integration. In addition to operational objectives, you can set your own objectives and explain them to your future internship tutor. There are a number of different methods available: take a look at SMART and OKR.
The first step is preparation!
How do you prepare for your arrival at a training course?
Have you ever thought of running a marathon without preparation? Perhaps, but to achieve this goal, it’s all a question of P.R.E.P.A.R.A.T.I.O.N.
Discover and understand the company’s challenges, organization chart, values and objectives. Take the time to study the business sector, available offers, competitors, the environment, challenges and current trends, to better orient your internship project.
Use all available services and resources, social networks and websites, and contact the former intern in the same position to understand in more detail the company’s expectations and the activities carried out during the internship. If it’s difficult to identify the former intern, why not see if any former alumni of your university/school are present in the company and contact them directly!
You can also ask for the technical stack you’ll need to master to get an overview of their main features, which will give you a head start when you arrive.
Adaptability and agility: the keys to success
How to adapt to your internship?
Observing and listening carefully, without rushing, will help you understand internal dynamics. Take notes, suggest additional briefings and ask questions to clarify any queries you may have about project activities and management. Mentoring and learning are essential during this period.
Don’t neglect your adaptation time – it’s vital to the smooth running of your projects. Take the time to understand, integrate and listen to all Councils, because every opinion must be constructive. Check in regularly to make sure you’re staying on track.
Being a driving force: proactivity and communication
How can you be proactive in your internship?
Has anyone ever told you that all ideas are good ideas?
Being proactive at work means being able to anticipate the company’s expectations and needs by taking on responsibilities independently. This includes taking initiative, offering to help, and demonstrating interest and motivation in various professional projects, thus contributing to raising your team and the company’s overall success. Sharing your knowledge, even that acquired during internships or academic projects, can bring a fresh perspective and enrich discussions.
If you identify a project or an opportunity for improvement, don’t hesitate to suggest it to your team. Document your ideas and suggestions, and let people know you’re ready to contribute during team meetings or informal discussions within the organization.
How about some feedback?
Feedback is a powerful tool for learning and development. Its presence and development depend greatly on the corporate culture. Taking a proactive approach by seeking feedback on your work demonstrates your commitment to progress and improvement. It can also provide valuable insights into the company’s expectations.
Practical tip: after a project or presentation, ask your supervisors and colleagues for specific feedback. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about what you could do better.
Communication and Networking
How do you build trusting relationships?
Above all, don’t be stressed or shy! Ask questions and get to know different departments, because that’s how you’ll learn the most and make valuable connections with colleagues and employers.
Establish open communication, encourage frank and transparent dialogue to create a climate of trust. You also need to be receptive to feedback with a positive attitude, so as to be constantly in a state of improvement.
Meeting as many people as possible also means understanding all the company’s activities and issues. There’s no need for too much formalism either, and sometimes a simple: “How about a cup of coffee?“can work wonders.
Take an active part in company events, team lunches and team-building activities. This will enable you to forge stronger links with your colleagues, gain a better understanding of the corporate culture and get to know each other better. A strong professional network will be an invaluable asset throughout your career.
Time to take stock of what we’ve learned and what we want to do in the future
How do I assess my internship?
Our final piece of advice concerns the internship assessment. This consists of an evaluation of your internship through your contributions, skills, objectives, feedback and, of course, your internship report.
On your own and with your manager, reflect on the positive impact of your assignments. Then make an assessment of the skills you have developed and acquired, as well as those you need to work on in the future to improve your career direction.
Feedback is a great tool for carrying out these checkups. Organize a meeting with your tutor to discuss your internship and prepare your questions in advance. Be open to constructive criticism and gather feedback from your supervisor and colleagues to improve your project management.
The final step? Your internship report, which will help you understand your professional experience and integrate all these follow-up steps.
Keys to a successful internship
An internship is a learning process and an opportunity to develop and acquire new skills through your work assignments. Remember that every step is a chance to learn and grow.
At SQORUS, you’ll be supported by an experienced tutor who will guide you as you develop your skills and provide you with regular feedback on your work.
Join a great place to work
Find out more about our internship opportunities and give your career a boost by joining us!
