6 Practical Tips to Apply to your First Internship
December 9, 2025 | Symphona
Internships can be a useful tool to gain experience early and jumpstart your professional career. However, the amount of effort you put into your internship often dictates what you will gain from your time there and may also aid in receiving a return offer. Utilize these six tips as a resource to have a more impactful and meaningful internship.
Ask yourself, “what do I want to take away from this?”
In order to get the most out of your internship, you can first ask yourself, “what do I want to take away from this?” Depending on where you are in your professional career, this could be a myriad of different things. Are you looking to make connections, get your foot in the door, figure out if this is something you truly want to do, or simply find a full-time job? There are so many different reasons for completing an internship, so being self-aware of what you’re looking for can help bridge what types of goals you can set for yourself.
Be ready to learn.
Oftentimes, there is a knowledge gap between what has been learned in the classroom and what is applied in the workplace. Employers do not expect you to come in with expert knowledge of the programs and processes that are utilized. Instead, many employers offer a myriad of training opportunities to take advantage of. Be open to the different learning opportunities that may arise and ask if none come up on their own. This shows your employer that you are actively interested in learning more about the topics associated with your work.
Pro Tip: Practice bringing a notebook with you and frequently go over what you’ve learned.
- Oftentimes, there is a knowledge gap between what has been learned in the classroom and what is applied in the workplace. Employers do not expect you to come in with expert knowledge of the programs and processes that are utilized. Instead, many employers offer a myriad of training opportunities to take advantage of. Be open to the different learning opportunities that may arise and ask if none come up on their own. This shows your employer that you are actively interested in learning more about the topics associated with your work.
Pro Tip: Practice bringing a notebook with you and frequently go over what you’ve learned.
Use feedback as a growth tool.
Feedback is a useful tool that can be used to further your education and skills. Excellence is not going to be achieved right off the bat, so asking for feedback from those who review your work can help create a roadmap on how to improve and get the most out of your time. The ability to ask for feedback also shows a great deal of self-awareness and want to improve, which are two qualities that employers are often looking for.
Know the difference between when to ask vs. figuring it out yourself.
There will be times when you are given a task that requires research and leaves you with plenty of questions. The trick is to know the difference between when you should ask your supervisor or figure it out yourself. Ask yourself the following two questions:
“Is this time sensitive?”
“Have I exhausted all of my resources?”
If you answered yes to either of these questions, you will most likely need to ask someone. This keeps you from “spinning your wheels” and wasting precious time you could be using to add value in other ways. Being in a new environment can exacerbate the anxieties of asking questions; however, the pros vastly outweigh the cons. Asking questions allows you to clarify assignments and avoid confusion that may be seen down the road.
Pro Tip: Write down the answers to your questions, so as to avoid asking the same ones over and over.
Take initiative.
Taking initiative can be shown in many different ways and can drastically impact how you are perceived in your internship. Some examples of showing initiative are:
Asking for more work
Being proactive (anticipating the needs of others)
Taking responsibility for certain tasks
Asking to shadow someone
Being open to new opportunities will expose you to parts of your job that you may not have known existed otherwise and often leads to greater responsibility within your role. In turn, this can lead to more visibility throughout your firm, showcasing your abilities to your employers.
Take time to network.
Networking can be a useful tool to help hone your skills and continue your growth. Reaching out to others in your community will allow you to “cast a wider net” of people you might not have met. Networking is a useful way to practice speaking with others and can sharpen your service skills.
Overall, internships are an extremely important way to break into your chosen field and gain experience. Employers often use internships as an introduction to future full-time employees, so using tips like these will help you put your best foot forward.
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