Treat it seriously

As an intern, you may typically be allowed a little more leniency when it comes to making mistakes. However, an internship is still a serious commitment. Even though the remuneration may be lower than that of a full-time employee, you are still required to deliver the agreed objectives.

For the period of time that you work there, be sure to carry out each task to the best of your capabilities.

Additionally, the company is also placing trust in you to contribute to the team, so take the opportunity to immerse yourself into the culture. This can help you determine the kind of environment that best suits you when you apply for a fulltime position after you graduate.

Have the right attitude

The focus of an internship is to learn on the job. And in the process of doing so, making mistakes inevitably will be part of it. But rather than being hung up on them, learn from those mistakes and bounce back. Do not be despondent or blame others for your missteps.

Remember, this is the best chance for you to gain as much experience as you can, so make it your mission to learn something new everyday. One way is to approach your colleagues to get more insights about the industry or company. You could also take up challenges in your stride and not be afraid to try new tasks (as long as it is reasonable and within your jobscope).

If things do not go as planned, acknowledge your shortcomings and be open to feedback and suggestions. Your colleagues and supervisors are likely to assist and provide guidance should you ask for it.

Build your network

Your workplace provides an excellent opportunity for you to build up your professional network. Regardless of your desired profession, make the effort to develop relationships with your colleagues and supervisors. After all, they may become your future superiors, potential mentors or colleagues.

Ultimately, it is always good to have friends, allies and connections everywhere you go. Having a friendly face when you start a new job, attend work events or even at lunch can help you boost your confidence.

You can start by connecting with your supervisors and colleagues via LinkedIn. From there, you can continue building up your network. Remember that a good, quality network takes time and effort to nurture, so be sincere about wanting to spend time with them. It does not need to involve grand gestures either — a simple chat or catch-up over coffee will do.

Exit gracefully

At the end of your internship, be sure to extend your thanks to your team for all their help and guidance. You can consider asking your supervisors if they would be willing to provide you with a letter of recommendation or write you one on LinkedIn. Additionally, your co-workers may also wish to endorse you on LinkedIn for the skills you displayed or picked up on the job.

So be sure to end your internship on a good note, and the connections you made here may be a springboard to your dream career in the future.