Key Factors of a Successful Internship

If you’re doing what you were told… you’re a good intern But if you’re doing what no one expected? Now that’s what makes you great Whether you’re remote or in-office, here’s what I think separates the two 👇🏽 1️⃣ Good interns complete tasks. Great interns take initiative. Good interns get things done But great interns? They go beyond the to do list They ask, “What’s the purpose of this?” or “Is there anything I could add to make this more efficient?” They’re not afraid to offer ideas, suggest improvements, or ask to be included on something new It’s not about doing more work, it's about thinking about adding value where you can 2️⃣ Good interns wait for direction. Great interns anticipate needs. Great interns pay attention to patterns and fill in gaps without being asked They’ll take notes during meetings and follow up with action items They’ll ask the hard questions, and come prepared with potential ideas But being proactive isn’t about having all the answers It’s about showing that you care enough to think ahead🧠 3️⃣ Good interns make connections. Great interns build genuine relationships. Yes, an intro message on Slack or LinkedIn is nice, but great interns don’t stop there They set up 1:1s, stay curious, and know that each convo is a learning opportunity And you know what else they do? They follow up with ✨gratitude✨, and stay in touch They understand that relationships are currency in the professional world and they take the time to invest (trust, I stilllll keep in touch with my colleagues from my first internship in 2021) 4️⃣ Good interns observe. Great interns reflect and apply. During your internship, you’ll see how teams make decisions, navigate challenges, and communicate Good interns take it all in Great interns use those observations to grow and learn how to navigate the environment (this is 🔑) They’ll ask, “I noticed you handled that feedback really well, any tips you have for me when it comes to receiving feedback?” or “That meeting didn’t go as planned. What would you do differently next time?” As someone who is consistently taking things in and asking questions, I can most definitely say this works! 5️⃣ Good interns do the job. Great interns leave a mark. You don’t have to be perfect None of us are But great interns are memorable for the right reasons They’re thoughtful, reliable, open, and bring positive energy to the team (positive energy goes a long way y’all) They’re the ones that teams say, “We’d love to bring them back” Because great interns aren’t just doing work, they’re building a reputation And who knows… Your reputation at your internship can end up with you having a full time job offer before starting your senior year (take it from me) So if you’re starting an internship soon (or in one now), here’s your reminder: Don’t just aim to do well Aim to stand out, learn deeply, and show up as someone people want to work with again Happy almost internship szn y’all! #intern

10 Behaviors of Exceptional Interns (Intern Series Post # 1) As I mentioned, with internship season starting soon, I want to share tips, mistakes, learnings, and other observations about how to have a successful internship. I hope this can help some of you starting internships in the coming weeks. So here it is... 10 things exceptional interns do: 1. They don’t treat their work like homework. Great interns don't go off for 2 weeks and come back at the end to check if they did a good job. They check in on their direction early, and make course corrections quickly before going down the wrong path. 2. They are visible. The best interns aren't afraid to post in public slack channels, share their work, or comment on other people’s work. They don't only DM their manager and hide in their corner. Their team and org knows who they are and what they are working on. 3. They find out what the team cares about and celebrate company wins with them (e.g. big deals, customer wins, growth, and everything else). They act like part of the team! 4. They don't just find problems, they solve problems. Great interns know that their manager doesn't need a deck or doc highlighting areas of improvement, they need those areas actually improved. If there's a problem, they try to solve it. They have a bias toward action. 5. They are aggressive about getting time with people. They learn what other team members do, see how they can help, and build lasting relationships (that they nurture over time). 6. They participate in meetings. They listen, learn, and add ideas where necessary. They don't over-speak, but they do more than sit in silence. 7. They get feedback on their working style early and often. Great interns recognize internships as unique opportunities to learn what they can do better early in their career. 8. They figure out what their manager’s top priority is and see how their work connects to that work and the primary metrics their manager/the company cares about. 9. If they want a return offer (and it's a possibility) they are upfront about that. They check in regularly to ensure they are on track. 10. They make things happen. Even if their scope is small, they work to get a few wins under their belt, leaving no doubt that their time on the the team was worth it. What else do you see exceptional interns do? #interns #internshiprecruiting #internships

To all the interns out there: this one’s for you. Internships are more than a line on your résumé—they’re an early chapter in your professional story. And how you write that chapter can shape the trajectory of your career in ways you might not expect. As you begin your internship experience, please remember that the purpose of an internship is to help you get professional experience and also help shape your thoughts about your early career priorities.   Whether you walk away from your internship thinking "I love this and want more of it,” or "this field may not be for me," that’s a win. The purpose of an internship is to gain real-world experience, explore your interests, and begin shaping your early career direction. Learning what you don't want to do can be just as valuable as discovering your passion. And here’s something every intern should know: 👉 An internship is also an audition. How you show up—your attitude, your work ethic, your curiosity—can position you for your first full-time job. When you stand out as an intern, people remember. You’re not just doing tasks; you’re building trust, demonstrating potential, and creating future opportunities Here’s my best advice for making the most of your intern experience: 🔹 Be curious. Ask questions—not just about your assignments, but about how the organization works, how leaders make decisions, and how people collaborate. Curiosity shows engagement, and it helps you connect dots others might miss. 🔹 Show up like you belong. Because you do. Don’t wait for permission to contribute. Speak up in meetings, offer to help on projects, and bring your fresh perspective to the table. Confidence grows through action. 🔹 Build relationships. The people around you are part of your learning experience. Find mentors, ask for coffee chats, and get to know the team beyond their titles. Relationships often matter more than résumés in the long run. 🔹 Treat every task like it matters. Whether you’re sitting in on a brainstorm or proofing a deck, your approach to the work speaks volumes. Excellence in the little things builds trust for bigger opportunities. 🔹 Reflect and reset. Take time each week to jot down what you’ve learned and where you want to grow. Internships are about learning—knowing what’s working (and what’s not) is how you evolve. An internship is a two-way street. Yes, you’re there to learn—but you also have value to offer. Be bold, be curious, and be open. You’re building more than experience—you’re building your professional identity. You've got this. 💼✨ #InternshipAdvice #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ReputationMatters #Mentorship 

To all the incredible summer interns out there – your time is valuable! I often think about the advice I'd give my younger self, or any intern looking to truly maximize their experience. Here are four of my top strategies to make the most of your summer: 1) Ask Questions (and keep asking!): Don't be afraid to speak up. Whether it's about a project, a process, or simply understanding "why," asking questions shows curiosity and a desire to learn. It's how you truly grasp the nuances of the business and your role. 2) Network Beyond Your Immediate Team: Reach out! Connect with people in roles or teams you're curious about for a quick coffee chat. Most professionals are happy to share their journey and insights, and these conversations can open doors you never even knew existed. Capitalize on the time you have access to internal teams. 3) Volunteer for Everything: See an opportunity to help out, even if it's outside your core responsibilities? Go for it! Volunteering for small tasks, cross-functional initiatives, or even social events shows initiative, expands your skill set, and gets you noticed. 4) Actively Ask for Feedback: Don't wait for your mid-point or end-of-internship review. Proactively ask your manager and teammates for feedback on your work and contributions. This shows a growth mindset, and gives you actionable insights to improve on the spot. Your internship is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and build your network. Make every moment count! Interns, what's been your biggest takeaway or burning question so far? Experienced pros, what's one piece of advice you'd add for current interns? Share below! #SummerIntern #InternshipTips #CareerAdvice #StudentLife #TechIntern #JobSearchTips #Networking #Mentorship #ProgramManager #BigTech #CareerGrowth #blackintech