Making a Lasting Impression: A Guide for Interns.

In my article from last week, I discussed the mutually beneficial relationship that internships
bring between students and employees. Nonetheless, achievement isn't guaranteed. Students
have a crucial part in making this happen. As you embark on your internship journey, allow
me to give you some advice on how to make the most of this chance and make an impression
that will last before you get too excited.
Play well with others.
Being able to work well with others is of paramount importance. Internship success depends
on how well you integrate with the group as a whole, not just how well you do individually.
Try to find ways to contribute to the team in a constructive way. Help out with things that
aren't directly related to your position if you can, and try to be understanding of others' time
and workload constraints. Having a good rapport with your co-workers and superior might
help you in the long run, both in terms of collaboration and references. Do your best to avoid
becoming known as “the intern that was a pain to deal with.”
Communicate.
To be a valuable member of a team, you need to have great interpersonal skills. Always keep
your manager updated on your project's status, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you're
confused about something. It is important to check in with yourself to see if you are
performing up to par and making a positive impact on the team. In addition to welcoming
comments and criticism from your co-workers, feel free to voice your opinion on certain
matters as well. This will show that you too have something to bring to the table as an intern.
Your capacity to work with people will be on display, and your career will benefit as a result.
Feedback.
Ask for feedback.  Your supervisor is your best resource for learning about your strengths
and opportunities for development on the job. Don't be shy about asking for and responding
to constructive criticism on your work. Take advantage of the criticism to develop and
advance. And don't be shy about asking for more information or clarity about any
assignments or projects you're working on. The purpose of your supervisor is to help you and
provide guidance.
If you want to get useful responses to your feedback requests, you need to be clear about
what information you need. To get better at your craft, you should solicit comments on
your style and suggestions for how to enhance it. In addition, take the time to consider the
criticisms as well as the compliments that have been offered, as this will help you determine
how to improve in the future. This will help you both now and in the future in your career, so
take advantage of it while you can as an intern. To quote Maya Angelou, “Forgive yourself
for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it”.
Be proactive!
Here's a big one: To show that you are motivated to learn new things, take on additional
duties and volunteer for projects that relate to your professional ambitions. Never wait to be
asked for help; instead, volunteer and take charge whenever possible. Don’t limit yourself to
what you’re good at. Your initiative and motivation will be evident, and you'll be able to
expand your knowledge and experience base as a result. Being proactive will also help you
stand out from the other interns.
Take the initiative and volunteer to take charge of a project if you think it might benefit from
your expertise. Research, strategy development, and presentation preparation are all examples
of such activities. Your resilience and willingness to take on a project reflects not only your
expertise and independence, but also your commitment to the firm and your future career.
Network
The importance of networking cannot be overstated. If you want to build a name for yourself
in your chosen field, your internship is the perfect place to start. Get to know your co-workers
and supervisor by participating in any and all company events and meetings to which you are
invited. Stay in touch with your internship mentors and other contacts after your internship is
finished to continue building your professional network. These associations may even lead to
future employment possibilities!
Relationship building is an integral part of the networking process. Get to know your co-
workers and superiors on a personal level and take an active interest in their professional
development. Ask them about their background, what they like best about their professions,
and what they would tell someone just entering the field. You can improve your knowledge
of the business and your relationships with co-workers by doing so. Don't stop networking
after your internship ends. You can never tell when a connection will lead to a new career or
a mentor.
Be authentic.
Don't try to imitate anyone else; instead, focus on being authentic. During your internship,
you will have the chance to showcase your unique set of abilities, experiences, and character
traits. Let your genuine colours show and take pride in your unique contributions. This will
not only make you more noticeable, but it will also increase your self-assurance and ease
your mind while you're on the job.
Grow.
In conclusion, your internship is a fantastic chance to build your resume and your
professional network. In order to get the most out of your internship and make a positive
impression, it is important to demonstrate qualities such as teamwork, communication,
openness to criticism, initiative, networking, and authenticity.
You can only learn and develop by taking chances and making errors, so don't be scared to do
either. The internship is just the beginning of your career. So, keep challenging yourself, keep
expanding your knowledge, and keep reaching for the stars. And you never know, maybe that
ideal job will come your way. You have my best wishes as you travel.
Zig Ziglar once remarked, "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be
great." Make an impression and grow into a star throughout your internship.

Alphonse Dixon Odwongo.