Get down to business and become a top-performing intern.

Your internship is a great opportunity to develop and polish your skills, gain industry-level experience, and have a great opportunity to network with people working in your industry. More importantly, you’re getting your right foot in the door at a company you are genuinely interested in and increasing your chances of landing a full-time job after you complete college/university.

To really impress, go the extra mile over the next few weeks because you’d never know what doors of opportunity may open to you in the future. Maybe your supervisor will be so impressed with your performance as an intern they’ll offer you a job, or give you an amazing reference when you need it?

Who knows?

To help you make the most out of your internship, we’ve put together some things you can do, or steps you can take to stand out and be the finest intern you could ever be.

1. Do Your Research

In order to really become the finest intern, begin ‘working’ before you actually start your internship. You might have already researched the company before taking the interview, but do it once again to refresh your memory before your first day on the job.

Researching additional information on your company’s history and workplace is always a good idea. Look up and get to know your industry better, industry buzzwords, your supervisor’s/boss’s background, and the people you might be working with will have you brimming with knowledge- making nobody ever think of you as a ‘Greenhorn’, and have yourself feel more comfortable and confident on your first day.

If you really want to go the extra mile, drop an e-mail at your supervisor’s/boss’s lap to find out if there is any extra reading or prep work you can do before you start.

2. Meet and Greet Everyone You Meet

A healthy work relationship requires excellent communication skills, and is an integral part of performing well at your workplace. Your supervisors and colleagues may very well be piled up with project and deadlines and may not take notice that you are new to the organisation; so make sure you take the effort and initiative to introduce yourself and exhibit a positive and friendly attitude to everyone you meet- from the janitor to the CEO.

3. Commit Wholeheartedly

Make it a point to always be punctual when showing up to work or completing tasks. If necessary, stay on later in the evening past your work hours to complete any unfinished tasks (Many jobs in the industry, like the Media Industry require working overtime- sleepless nights even). Do whatever it takes to get your work done and never compromise on quality.

Being constantly on time and staying back will parade your commitment to your job to your supervisors and colleagues. Employees that are willing to sacrifice sleep and their personal time by working overtime are the ones that get noticed.

In this age where lacklustre work ethics are soaring high, employers constantly face the battle of finding committed employees, so interns who go the extra mile will stand out. Your internship will give your employer time to train you and track your progress, so take this time to prove to them that you are someone they need in their company even after your internship is over.

4. Treat It Like A Real Job

If you want to be taken seriously by your supervisors and colleagues, then you need to treat your internship like it’s a real job- because it is.

Though you might be just an intern, keep in mind that your work will still have considerable impact on a company, so put extra effort to deliver your best.

Remember that you’re working in a real-world organisation, so any work you do (or mistakes you make) will have an impact at some level.

5. Bond with Your Supervisor

During your internship, make it a point to connect and learn everything and anything industry-related from your supervisor. Your supervisor will be able to show you the ropes, and offer invaluable advice– which will make your transition from student to employee a much easier and less stressful one.

6. Push Yourself

Don’t shy away from responsibilities that go beyond your job description- remember learning takes place out of your comfort zone. Your internship is your time to shine and learn as much you possibly can, so rather than limiting yourself to the tasks set out in the job description, use it as a starting point/cornerstone.

7. Ask Questions

Never keep uncertainties to yourself. Always ask questions to resolve any uncertainties and unknowns- you’re an intern after all. In fact, asking questions is a good thing- it shows your supervisors and colleagues that you are willing to learn, are motivated and have a genuine interest in your job.

8. Stay Away From Social Media

Save social media (Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and everything else non-work related) for your lunch break. Unless your job requires you to work with social media, stay off the aforementioned anti-productive sites and apps. Stay off and focus on why you are there- to learn and get valuable experience, so make the most of the time you have and devote it to developing your skills. Remember, your favourite social media platforms aren’t closing anytime soon, and will still be there on your own time, not your company’s/organisation’s.

9. Network

Make sure to capitalise on your time with your company and take the opportunity to meet as many of your co-workers as possible- especially those in other departments. If you are working in a big company with many departments, you may only have the chance to work closely with certain people in one specific department. This is why it’s important for you to make a conscious effort to build quality relationships and make connections with people throughout the whole company. You never know who you may meet that could possibly support you in the future or whom you could even someday work with.

10. Socialize

While networking to get to know influential or important people in your company is important, you should also take some time out of your schedule to get to know other interns and people you are working with from your work environment. Interning is a great opportunity to meet new people you may never have the opportunity to meet otherwise, but remember to act accordingly. Keep in mind to always treat your internship like a real job, so always be professional and try to not get caught up with work-place romances.

11. Ask For Feedback

Last but definitely not least, never be afraid to ask for feedback throughout your entire time with your company. This shows your employer that you’re eager to right any wrongs, and do whatever it takes to do your job to the best of your abilities. It will also allow you to find out the strengths you have, as well as the ‘chink in your armour’ (weaknesses), so you can get working on them before you leave.

There you have it, 11 tips that will set on track to being the finest intern you can possibly be. Take these tips, hustle, and be the best you can be.