How to Maximize Internship Experience

There’s one question that nearly every intern has… How do I get a return offer? I had the same question when I interned Adobe in 2022. I constantly dreamt about it nearly everyday of my 3 month internship until one day, I turned my dream to reality (someone queue that song!) Let’s discuss shall we! Step 1: Make connections Talking to people on your team is great, talking to people within your business unit is even better, but going beyond that is how you differentiate yourself. Use your company’s internal org chart to your advantage. Look around and see what people you would be interested in connecting with and learning from. Reach out to these individuals and ask if they would be willing to spare 20-30 minutes of their time for a coffee chat. Here’s two key tips about these conversations 1. Research these individuals before your coffee chat. This will help you form questions to ask them. Research can be done through LinkedIn, company intranet, or the company’s HRIS system. 2. At the end of each chat, always ask “is there someone else who you think I would benefit in connecting with?” Step 2: Understand how your work as an intern connects to broader business goals and hone in on that This is where those connections come in. If you have a more well rounded view of how the business works, then it most likely will be easier for you to understand how your work ties into the bigger picture. Get clarity on how processes work, make note of who will have visibility to your work, and inquire about how greater business decisions are made. This will help you see the full picture. Step 3: Create a brag book I’ve talked about this many times before because I stand on it! Write down everything you do in your internship no matter how big or small! Whether you made an agenda or created a whole new system, keep track of and quantify your impact week over week. This way at the end of your internship you’ll be able to clearly communicate the impact of your work. Step 4: Stay curious Play the intern card. There is no dumb question. If you’re interested to know more about how something works, ask. If you’re interested in why something is being done the way that it is, inquire about. Asking questions shows that you’re interested and engaged in your work and the work that’s happening around you. Step 5: Ask for feedback and apply it To be honest, this last step was the hardest one for me, but the benefit of doing it is exponential. Always ask what you could potentially do better even if you think you’ve done it all. Keep note of this feedback and apply it as you continue throughout your internship. Trust me, people will take notice and most likely be impressed by your efforts. ——————————————————————— For those who have had success in converting their internship full time, what advice would you give to students? #tipswithtaylor #summerinterns #intern2024 #internconversion

Sharing some lessons from my internship journey 👋 To everyone starting or currently in an internship – congratulations! It's a fantastic opportunity for growth. Reflecting on my own experience, I wanted to share a few things that genuinely helped me build connections and make the most of my time. These are just lessons I learned, and every experience is unique, but hopefully, some of these resonate: Connect Widely : Don't just stick to your immediate team. Try to connect with people across different departments. Ask your manager for suggestions on who might be good to chat with. When you connect, be genuinely curious! Ask them about their journey, what they work on, and how they find the company. Share a bit about your project and what you're learning. Crucially, ask for their insights: "How can I make the most of my time here?" or "If you were in my shoes, what would you do differently?" Listen carefully and jot down any suggestions – they're gold. Building these genuine connections is incredibly rewarding. Master Your Manager Check-ins & Be Proactive : Regular check-ins (weekly is often ideal) are key. But try to shift the focus from just listing tasks you completed. Frame it around impact and alignment: "I worked on X, which contributes to Y high-level goal. I believe this approach will help us achieve Z. Are we aligned on this?" Be proactive: show your planned next steps rather than waiting for them to assign them. Preparing for these meetings (thinking about potential questions you might be asked) shows you're thinking ahead. Set a clear goal for your internship and break it down into smaller, weekly deliverables. Share this plan and your progress regularly with your manager. Also, keep track of and mention any help you provided or tasks you took on outside your main project – it shows initiative. Embrace Curiosity & Don't Be Afraid to Ask: Interns are often valued for bringing fresh perspectives. Don't hesitate to share your ideas respectfully. And it's always okay to ask questions if you don't understand something. Phrases like "Could you explain that like I have no prior context?" or simply saying "I'm not quite following, could we revisit that?" are perfectly fine. If it's difficult to ask in a large meeting due to time, schedule a quick follow-up with the person later. Showing that you want to understand is much better than pretending you do! Explore Your New Location (If You Move!) : If your internship takes you to a new city or state, make the most of it! Explore locally and, if possible, nearby regions. It's a great chance to experience new places and take a mental break. (When I interned at Whirlpool, I got to see Michigan, Chicago, and even Canada!). These experiences add so much to your overall internship memory. These were just a few things that personally helped me. Every internship is different, but a foundation of genuine connection, clear communication, proactivity, and curiosity goes a long way.

Just wrapped your summer internship? Don't forget to record everything you can! Hopefully you did this before you left - it's WAY easier when you still access your email, files, and internal org charts. But it's not too late - and even if you did already do it, your records might need a little more work before school starts back up again. A few steps to consider: 1 - Do a 10-minute speed writing sesh and spit out the names of every person you spoke with and every project or task you had even a small hand in that you can remember. Just get it all out of your head 2 - Connect on LinkedIn with the folks you talked to (before both you and they forget), and do it with a custom message - or when you hit your limit on that (which you will quickly without Premium), once someone accepts your request, send a follow-up note telling them thanks again for the specific thing you talked with them about or learned from them over the summer - that'll be both yours and their record of why you're invested in each other 3 - Spend a few minutes considering what skills, competencies, and knowledge you developed through your involvement in each of the projects and tasks you wrote out 4 - Then go deeper and consider what you actually accomplished and what kind of value you uniquely brought to each of those efforts, and write it all down. You'll have really strong stuff for some of them, and others will feel less compelling. That's OK - but don't underestimate or diminish the value you did bring to the table 5 - Record as much of the accomplishment and value creation stuff as possible on your resume 6 - Write out 7-10 detailed stories that you could practice and tell in response to interview questions using some of your strongest experiences and accomplishments on the internship 7 - One more brainstorm - distill and write out the few most important takeaways from your summer experience. You'll get asked questions about this all the time Hope this helps! And a final word to the wise - seriously, do it NOW. As vivid as your internship memories are today, I'll tell you from personal experience that they disappear shockingly fast. #careerdevelopment #internships #networking #intentionality #afteractionreview

How do you stand out as an intern without sacrificing yourself in the process? Someone asked me this question and I remember how I felt this time last year as I was preparing to start my summer internship at a large tech company. Internship season is right around the corner and it's completely normal to feel equally excited and nervous.  Looking back, being intentional and having a clear strategy made a big difference in my experience and played a key role in receiving a full-time return offer. Here are 3️⃣ tips to stand out and get the most out of your internship: First and foremost, your top priority during the internship should always be your projects and deliverables. The quality of your work is one of the most important ways to stand out and make a strong impression. Don't neglect the primary reason you are here. 1️⃣ Observe and Understand Dynamics Within the Company During your first few weeks, focus on watching and listening. 👀 Pay attention to how people communicate, collaborate, and interact, including unspoken norms. 👀 Identify people who can offer valuable insights and advocate for your growth and success. 2️⃣ Build a Strong Relationship with Your Manager Your direct manager has a major impact on your internship experience, including the possibility of getting a return offer or securing future opportunities at the company. ✅ Schedule regular 1:1 check-ins to ensure ongoing and frequent communication. ✅ Ask for feedback early and consistently. It gives you the chance to improve, make adjustments, and show that you’re eager to learn and grow. ✅ Don’t hesitate to share your professional goals and build a genuine connection beyond just the tasks or projects you completed. 3️⃣ Take Initiative and Be Engaged To stand out, you need to be visible and proactive. 🚀 Speak up in meetings. Your ideas and questions matter. 🚀 Attend intern events and get involved in company/site-wide initiatives. 🚀 Network and build relationships beyond your immediate team. Some Final Words of Wisdom: ➜ Stay true to yourself and stand firm in your values. Don’t feel pressured to engage in conversations or activities that make you uncomfortable just to fit in or stand out. ➜ Check in with yourself regularly. Ask yourself: How am I feeling? What’s going well? What needs to change? Self-awareness is key to a fulfilling internship. ➜ Set clear boundaries. Work hard and take initiative, but don’t push yourself to the point of burnout. Let the quality of your work speak for itself.  At the end of the day, your internship is a learning opportunity. It’s designed to help you grow, develop new skills, and gain clarity about your career path. It’s easy to feel like everything is riding on this one experience, but remember: what’s meant for you will not pass you. Focus on what you can control, try your best, and trust that the rest will fall into place. #summerinternship #internshiptips

Starting an internship this summer? Don’t wait for day one—start preparing now. Day one is exciting, but preparation starts before you step through those doors. I learned this (hint: not on my first internship). If I could go back, here are seven things I'd focus on before day one: → Know your company - Read their website like you're studying for an exam. - Find recent articles about them online. - Understand their mission and what they stand for. (Extra tip: Learn about your future teammates. Knowing who they are = less awkward introductions.) → Build your network early - Connect with team members on Linked­­­I­n. - Reach out—yes, actually reach out—to past interns. - Ask them for tips, lessons, and advice. (They’ve been there. They know what works—and what doesn’t.) → Upgrade your skills - Find out what tools your role relies on. - Learn one useful skill BEFORE you start. - Platforms like YouTube or Coursera can save you here. (Your resume got you hired. Sharpened skills will help you thrive.) → Update your resume and Linked­­­I­n profile - Add new achievements if you haven’t already. - Tailor your profile for your internship goals. (Make sure they see your progress—and your potential.) → Set your personal goals - What do you want out from this internship? Write. That. Down. - Be intentional. Plan how you’ll connect, ask questions, and gain knowledge. (Clear goals make your growth obvious, even on tough days.) → Stay curious - Research industry trends (be that intern who knows what’s happening). - Ask smart questions about your role and team. → Build confidence through action - Role-play common situations. - Practice introducing yourself (yes, out loud). - Learn your elevator pitch—the short answer about “what you do.” Internships are your chance—not just for work experience—but for real career progress. Preparation is your superpower. What’s one step you’re taking today that your future self will thank you for?

I walked past a long line of interns on campus last week on my way to grab breakfast. Every summer when the interns arrive, I get thrown back in time to the summer of 2010, when I stepped onto Nike's beautiful campus for the first time. It was five days after I graduated, and by sheer will and sheer luck, I never left. Since then, I have met with many, many interns. And over the years, my advice has evolved. But here are the three things I would offer today: 1. Corporate structures can be incredibly intimidating. There is hierarchy and power balances and imbalances innate throughout the corporate world. But the one thing that is true, and will be true regardless of where you go, is that the corporate world is made up of people, of humans. And on that level, no one is more important than anyone else. That is a truth I take with me in every interaction I have. I may be talking to the VP of Whatever, but I am also just talking to a person, with a human life and human interests. And for some reason, that makes it less intimidating. 2. Perform your job well and excel at your projects. And while you do that, meet with as many people as you can. Set up coffee chats like your life depends on it. Every time you meet with someone, ask them for three more names that you should meet with. Ask questions. Tell them about yourself and soak it all up. Being able to mingle on campus is an opportunity that few get. Unlock the network. 3. Let yourself drink the Koolaid. There is a time for healthy cynicism - this is not it. Soak up the magic and brand. Let yourself be enchanted by it. Internships at Nike are pure opportunity - and there are few moments in your late education/early career that will exist for your sole development. This is the perfect moment to buy in and let yourself dream. I did. I still do. In case any of our interns see this post, please don't hesitate to throw time on my calendar in July. I'd love to meet you.

Landing that Return Offer from your Internship! 🎯 With intern season starting, I want to share some strategies that helped me convert my internship into a full-time role:  ✅ Start Early: Get onboarded and familiarize yourself with the required technologies as soon as possible. This will help set a strong foundation.    ✅ Network Strategically: Spend your lunch times by scheduling meetups with your team members, leadership, manager, and other interns. Each interaction has its unique significance:    - Interns: Helps you learn about your peers.    - Team Members: Helps you understand about the team goals and project requirements in-depth.    - Leadership: Helps you learn about the company culture and grow your network.    ✅ Track Your Progress: Maintain a log of tasks, expectations, results, and learnings. I used Notion to keep everything organized and ensure nothing slipped through the cracks.    ✅ Ask Questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how many you have. As someone who was navigating the corporate world for the first time, I asked a thousand questions and learned a lot.    ✅ Build relations with your Manager: Your manager is there to support you. Schedule 1:1s regularly. My manager was an incredible resource and ally throughout my internship.    ✅ Create an Impact: Most importantly align your work with the company’s mission, vision, and goals. Think outside the box for your final presentations. I created a video highlighting my internship journey, from tasks to meetups and activities, alongside my report.    ✅ Seek Feedback: Always take feedback constructively and improve upon it. This shows your commitment to growth and excellence.    To all interns out there, remember: your internship is what you make of it. Dive in, be curious, and make an impact!   ▶ What strategies have you found effective in converting internships into full-time roles? Share in the comments below!   #internship #career #professionaldevelopment #networking #growth #success

Nobody has a curiosity more powerful than an intern. Here are the 4 simple things I teach all my interns (and what you can learn from them): 1/“Remember everything around you was built by people no smarter than you” I play my favorite Steve Jobs Video (at the bottom of this post) I encourage them to apply this concept to the company. It may look fancy and formal but it was just created by their colleagues. They can shape it, they can change it. 2/ Build credibility AS QUICKLY as you can. There are a few ways I recommend doing this: First - Find two areas of the business and build expertise in. One of our early Ampushers, Kushal, memorized Facebook’s API docs. He knew them better than people at Facebook. It built him insane credibility... Second - Master the “Triangle of Success” - Get work done: on schedule, to spec and above the quality bar. Corollary: always ask for those 3 things when you get an assignment Third - Hard work, tenacity and resourcefulness always go a long way. 3/ Prioritize - your plate will grow faster than your ability to do the work. That means you always have to think of what goes first, second, third. Make a recommendation to your manager around how you prioritize your time. 4/ My favorite one: View the company as your personal learning platform. Schedule a coffee with a different person internally each week.  Just ask them what they do and for their story.  Ask the dumb question in a meeting, join cross-functional meetings to gain exposure.  The more you learn, the more fun you have! Starting off strong as an intern/entry level employee CAN impact your career trajectory.  Nail it from day one!

Internship Season is Almost Here! Make the Most of It 🚀 Did you know? Over 70% of interns receive full-time job offers from their internship employers. If you’re starting your internship this summer, now is the time to think beyond just the next few months—this could be the first step toward your future career! As a University Recruiter, I work closely with hiring managers and leaders, and see firsthand what helps interns transition into full-time roles. Here’s how you can maximize your internship and increase your chances of coming back: 📌 Build Relationships from Day One – Your network is just as valuable as your work. Engage with your manager, mentors, and peers—these connections can open doors in the future. 📌 Communicate Your Goals – Let your manager know what skills you want to develop and what interests you. This helps them align projects that support your growth. 📌 Stay Curious & Take Initiative – Ask questions, seek feedback, and don’t hesitate to step outside your comfort zone. Showing enthusiasm and a proactive mindset leaves a lasting impression. 📌 Stay Engaged Post-Internship – Follow the company, connect on LinkedIn, and join talent communities. Companies prioritize former interns for full-time roles because they already know the culture and expectations. Internships are more than a summer experience—they're a career accelerator. Be proactive, build connections, and set yourself up for long-term success! #InternshipSuccess #CareerTips #UniversityRecruiting

Looking to secure a return offer? Here’s how proactively seeking help landed me 3 return offers. During my internships, I struggled with asking for help. I would try to figure everything out on my own, thinking that was the best way to learn. This mindset came from the university, where collaboration wasnt always encouraged. Navigating the corporate world was a different experience for me. I had a hard time knowing when to ask for help because I was used to doing things myself. However, I quickly realized that in a company, especially at Microsoft, it’s essential to leverage the knowledge of your coworkers. They often have more subject matter expertise and can help you learn and solve problems faster. When I first joined my team, I would spend hours (sometimes days) stuck on a problem, hesitant to ask for assistance. As time passed during my internship, my mentor explained to me that reaching out to different team members for help is actually encouraged because of Microsoft’s growth principles. Additionally, he emphasized that during my internship, he wanted to ensure I had the opportunity to learn as much as I could. Given it was only 3 months, it would not be realistic to learn as much as possible if I was trying to figure everything out myself. This conversation taught me the value of seeking help proactively. Insights and Tips: 1. Recognize the Value of Your Team: Understand that your coworkers/mentors are there to help you. They have experience and knowledge that can help you overcome obstacles and learn more effectively. 2. Set a Time Limit: Employ a rule, like the 45-minute to an hour-and-a-half rule. If you’re stuck on a problem for that long without making progress, it’s time to ask for help. This prevents you from wasting time and allows you to move forward more quickly. 3. Learn from Interaction: Asking for help isn’t just about getting the answer—it’s about learning how to approach problems and gaining insights from others’ workflows/experiences. 4. Build Relationships: Proactively seeking help can also help you build stronger relationships with your team members. It shows that you value their expertise and are eager to learn. By changing my approach and seeking help when needed, I started learning more and became more productive. It’s crucial to realize that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. How do you approach asking for help at work or during your internship? Share your strategies and experiences in the comments! #Returnoffer #CareerGrowth #Internship #WorkplaceTips #Learning