How to Maximize Internship Experience

If you are currently on an internship or about to wrap one up, this is for you. Internships and co-ops shape more than your résumé; they shape how you think, work, and build relationships that last a lifetime.  Here are a few lessons that shaped my journey and could help you, too: 🔹 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Every organization values those who create impact. Don’t just complete tasks. Look for problems to solve, no matter how small. During one of my past co-op roles, I worked on a project where our brainstormed ideas helped save billions in future projected costs. That came from paying attention, contributing, and working with a multidisciplinary team with 10,000+ years of combined experience across local and global projects. 🔹 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 Study the values, culture, and policies of your workplace. The more you understand what drives the organization, the easier it becomes to align your contribution with real impact. 🔹 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐠𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 & 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 Some of the most important doors in my career were opened by relationships I built during internships. Your next mentor, advisor, or sponsor may not come through a qualification, but through a genuine connection. Up till today, I still get calls from my past supervisors I once worked with, to consult on problems I helped solve as an intern. 🔹 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 & 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭 Confidence is noticed. Share your ideas, volunteer for challenges, and leave a footprint of contribution. What people remember is the impact you created, not the hours you spent. 🔹 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 Before your internship ends, have deliberate conversations with your manager, supervisor, or team lead. Ask for feedback on your performance, seek mentorship opportunities, and request recommendation letters. These will serve as bridges for the next phase of your career. Here are a few sample questions you can ask: 💡 What did I do well? 💡 What could I have done differently? 💡 Would you be open to mentoring me beyond this role? 💡 Could I request a recommendation letter for future opportunities? These conversations are priceless; they provide clarity, open doors, and create connections that last far beyond the internship. At the end of the day, one truth remains: you cannot rush or substitute experience. Every day on the job is shaping the professional you are becoming. So to every intern reading this: be intentional, be courageous, and leave your footprint. 👉 Who’s the one intern in your circle that needs this reminder today? Share this with them.

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 

Last week, I presented a session to a group of pharmacy interns on how to make the most of their internship year and prepare early for what comes next. Here are the key points I shared, some of which might be especially important for interns: 1. If you’re aiming for residency, be ready before January 2026. Have your portfolio, recommendation letters, and required documents ready well in advance. 2. Start preparing for the SPLE early. You have three attempts a year and starting now gives you confidence and flexibility. 3. Keep your CV updated. Add each skill, course, and achievement as you complete them. 4. Complete IELTS early so they’re not a last-minute hurdle. 5. Publish your research. This can add up to 5 points to your residency application and demonstrates initiative, critical thinking, and contribution to the profession. 6. Make every rotation count. Show up prepared, get involved, ask questions, and contribute value to the team. 7. Explore different pharmacy fields , hospital, community, regulatory, and industry to understand where your interests and strengths align. 8. Find a mentor who can provide guidance, share insights, and help you navigate career decisions. 9. Attend conferences and workshops to expand your knowledge, network, and visibility in the profession. 10. Build a professional portfolio that includes certificates, projects, case presentations, and feedback from preceptors. 11. Develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and time management , they are just as critical as clinical knowledge. 12. Be proactive. Look for opportunities to learn and contribute instead of waiting for them to come to you. 13. Seek regular feedback from preceptors and use it constructively to improve your skills and approach. Your internship year is more than a requirement for graduation. Small, consistent actions now can open big doors when it’s time to apply for jobs or residency.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a handful of coffee chats—some with professionals, others with interns and students currently navigating their internships. One question kept coming up: What can I do to secure a return offer? I’ve been there, and I know how much that question weighs on your mind, especially as you hit the midpoint or start thinking about how to wrap up strong. When I interned at AWS, a few intentional moves helped me turn that experience into a return offer. 1. Get clear on expectations Have a direct conversation with your manager about what success looks like. Set goals, schedule midpoint check-ins with mentor, manager and work backwards from a clear plan. 2. Track your progress Keep a running doc of what you’re working on, who you meet, feedback you receive, and lessons learned. This helps with final presentations, and reflection. 3. Ask for feedback early and often Don’t wait for your exit review. Ask what’s going well and what to improve while you still have time to act on it. It shows committed to growing and gives you time to make real adjustments. 4. Stay organized and manage your time It’s easy to get disorganized towards the end of your internship and you start to lose track. Use a system that works for you—calendar, task list, Notion, etc. Stay on top of your work so nothing slips through the cracks. 5. Be proactive and add value Say yes to new opportunities and look for ways to contribute beyond your project. Leading a task, supporting a teammate, organizing a team building activity. Just be intentional—impact > quantity. 6. Build meaningful connections Network with people outside your team. Schedule coffee chats, quick intros, staying after meetings to ask questions. This all counts, follow up, and stay curious. These relationships often outlast the internship itself, they can become mentors, advocates or even friends. 7. Show your growth, not just results Speak up in meetings, and reflect on how you’ve grow not just what you’ve done. Let your team see your progress in real time. How have you adapted what you’ve learned? Growth over time is just as valuable as the final results. 8. Work on both technical and soft skills Yes - master the tools, write clean code, build the dashboard. But, also practice communication, time management, collaboration, and self-awareness. These skills will set you apart. 9. Build your personal brand on LinkedIn Connect with the people you meet. Share what you’re learning, showcase your journey. A thoughtful presence can leave a lasting impression and open doors. 10. Keep your resume updated Make weekly updates to your resume, write down your wins and impact while it’s happening. This saves time later and keeps your achievements accurate. Finishing strong isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It means being thoughtful, consistent, and intentional with how you show up. Let me know which of these help and share your own tip.

Sharing some lessons from my internship journey 👋 To everyone starting or currently in an internship – congratulations! It's a fantastic opportunity for growth. Reflecting on my own experience, I wanted to share a few things that genuinely helped me build connections and make the most of my time. These are just lessons I learned, and every experience is unique, but hopefully, some of these resonate: Connect Widely : Don't just stick to your immediate team. Try to connect with people across different departments. Ask your manager for suggestions on who might be good to chat with. When you connect, be genuinely curious! Ask them about their journey, what they work on, and how they find the company. Share a bit about your project and what you're learning. Crucially, ask for their insights: "How can I make the most of my time here?" or "If you were in my shoes, what would you do differently?" Listen carefully and jot down any suggestions – they're gold. Building these genuine connections is incredibly rewarding. Master Your Manager Check-ins & Be Proactive : Regular check-ins (weekly is often ideal) are key. But try to shift the focus from just listing tasks you completed. Frame it around impact and alignment: "I worked on X, which contributes to Y high-level goal. I believe this approach will help us achieve Z. Are we aligned on this?" Be proactive: show your planned next steps rather than waiting for them to assign them. Preparing for these meetings (thinking about potential questions you might be asked) shows you're thinking ahead. Set a clear goal for your internship and break it down into smaller, weekly deliverables. Share this plan and your progress regularly with your manager. Also, keep track of and mention any help you provided or tasks you took on outside your main project – it shows initiative. Embrace Curiosity & Don't Be Afraid to Ask: Interns are often valued for bringing fresh perspectives. Don't hesitate to share your ideas respectfully. And it's always okay to ask questions if you don't understand something. Phrases like "Could you explain that like I have no prior context?" or simply saying "I'm not quite following, could we revisit that?" are perfectly fine. If it's difficult to ask in a large meeting due to time, schedule a quick follow-up with the person later. Showing that you want to understand is much better than pretending you do! Explore Your New Location (If You Move!) : If your internship takes you to a new city or state, make the most of it! Explore locally and, if possible, nearby regions. It's a great chance to experience new places and take a mental break. (When I interned at Whirlpool, I got to see Michigan, Chicago, and even Canada!). These experiences add so much to your overall internship memory. These were just a few things that personally helped me. Every internship is different, but a foundation of genuine connection, clear communication, proactivity, and curiosity goes a long way.

This is my 10th summer managing interns in tech. 🤯✨👏🏾 And every summer, without fail, I get asked the same question: "How do I stand out as an intern?" "How do I get a return offer?" After a decade of managing interns, I can confidently say the interns who consistently trend upward, tend to demonstrate the same three characteristics. These are also the same habits that have helped me throughout my own career and contributed to every performance review I've ever received resulting in meeting expectations, exceeding expectations, or earning a promotion. Never anything less. 🚀 So if you're a Summer 2026 intern, or honestly, any professional looking to grow your career…here are the three traits I pay the closest attention to: 1️⃣Proactive: The strongest interns don't wait for feedback season. They schedule consistent 1:1s with their managers and come prepared. They share their wins. They share their challenges. They ask thoughtful questions. They proactively seek feedback and career development advice throughout the internship instead of treating growth conversations like a formal performance review. 2️⃣Resourceful: One of the most underrated career skills is learning how to ask for help effectively. The interns who stand out don't immediately escalate every obstacle. They do their own research first. THEN when they ask for support, they share what they've already tried and where they're stuck. 👩🏾💻 3️⃣Connected: This might be the most overlooked one. Your internship is not just about your project. The interns who maximize their experience set up coffee chats. They connect with adjacent teams. They attend company events. They join employee resource groups. They introduce themselves to people they admire 💡 And MOST importantly…they build relationships with other interns. Peer-to-peer mentorship is more powerful than most people realize. Be proactive. Be resourceful. Be connected. These are my BIG 3…. when it comes to how to ace your internship or performance in any tech or corporate role. 💪🏾🚀🚀🚀 If you've ever managed an intern, received a return offer, or converted from intern to full-time employee, what advice would you add for our Summer 2026 interns? 👇🏾 Let's build the ultimate intern survival guide in the comments.

💼 Make Yourself Indispensable During Your Summer Internship Whether you’re a first-time intern or on your third rotation—how you show up this summer will define how people remember you. As someone who works with driven students in the UC Berkeley M.E.T. (Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology) Program and has coached many early career professionals, I’ve seen what separates the “just there” interns from the unforgettable ones. Here’s what I remind my students: ✅ Act like an owner Don’t wait to be told—look for problems to solve. Learn the business like it’s your own. Remember names. Understand workflows. ✅ Deliver on the details Show up early, take notes in all meetings (offer to send the recap, proofread before sending), follow through. The small things build big trust. ✅ Ask for additional work Once you build trust, ask your manager: 👉 “Is there a project that’s been on the back burner I could help move forward?” ✅ Manage yourself Don’t wait for direction. Ask if you can schedule time with your boss. Share weekly updates: what you did. what you’re stuck on. what’s next. ✅ Build relationships Set up short coffee chats across teams (in person is best). Ask about their roles and challenges. Listen well. ✅ Seek feedback early Midway through the summer, ask: “What’s one thing I could improve right now?” Incorporate feedback. ✅ Document your wins Track your work. Create a summary deck. Leave something behind that shows your value. 🔁 Internships are short. But the impression you leave can open doors long after August ends. #internships #summer2025 #internshiptips #careeradvice #careercoach #internsuccess #studentsuccess #management #entrepreneurship #technology University of California, Berkeley

🎉 Landed a Spring or Summer Internship? Here’s What To Do Now to Set Yourself Up for Success! First—congrats! Earning an internship isn’t easy, and you should absolutely celebrate it. But once the excitement settles, many students wonder: “What should I be doing between now and Day 1?” Here are a few things that will help you walk in confident, prepared, and ready to shine: 1️⃣ Learn About the Company Spend time on their website, social pages, recent press releases, and LinkedIn posts. You’ll walk in already understanding their mission, values, and current priorities. 2️⃣ Brush Up on Relevant Skills Whether it’s Excel, a programming language, customer service skills, communication tools, or industry basics—strengthening your foundation now will make your first few weeks smoother. 3️⃣ Stay in Touch (Professionally!) If your recruiter or manager has reached out, keep the line warm. A simple “Looking forward to joining the team!” update is more powerful than you think. 4️⃣ Get Your Logistics in Order Transportation, schedule planning, class conflicts—all less stressful when not left for the last minute. 5️⃣ Set a Few Personal Goals Think about what you want to walk away with after the internship: ✔ A new skill ✔ Stronger communication ✔ A polished project ✔ A mentor ✔ A potential full-time pathway Having clarity early helps you seek out the experiences that matter most. 6️⃣ Rest & Recharge Internships can be fast-paced. Don’t underestimate the value of being mentally refreshed and ready to learn.

Summer 2025 interns: Follow this piece of advice to make your internship life easier in the long run. I promise you'll thank me! If you haven't done so already, starting today...document your summer experience as you go. It doesn't matter how you do it. A laptop document, a phone app, a good ol' fashioned planner/notebook. What matters is writing all the information down as you’re producing it or taking it in, rather than trying to reflect an entire summer in August or September. 1. Keep track of what you do. Your duties & responsibilities, your accomplishments, etc. Pay attention to quantifiable details. For example, if you create social media content - how many posts, how much increased engagement (numbers or percentages). Logging these details now will make updating your resume and LinkedIn profile easier at summer's end. 2. Take notes during career conversations. Bring a notebook to every meeting, with questions prepared and enough room to write down answers and the additional information you learn. Being able to reference these specific topics in the followup thank you email (sent 24-48 hours after your meeting) adds a personal touch. Additionally, you’re going to learn a lot from many different people that you’ll want to easily reference in the future. 3. Write down "the nuggets." Tidbits you hear during a staff meeting, presentation, career conversation, or anywhere. A nugget is anything that makes you think, pause, ponder, reflect, engage or even just laugh. One of my colleagues writes on her iPhone Notes app any phrases she hears that resonate with her, whether shared by someone in conversation or offered in a presentation. Great example of nuggets! 3. Snap pics and videos. Visual documents are as helpful as written ones. If you’re assisting in putting together an event, take pics before, during and after the program. Is your internship taking place in a different city or country? Capture sites outside of the office, too! 4. Share your experience. LinkedIn is perfect for doing so. I love seeing students celebrating their internships throughout the summer with stories and accompanying photos. Others put together a website or portfolio that they can share with an audience. So don’t delay, start your internship tracking today.  You’re welcome! 🙂

We're now roughly halfway through summer internship season For many interns, the first few weeks will have flown by. The good news? You still have plenty of time to influence how you're remembered. Having worked alongside summer internship programmes for many years, I've rarely seen a return offer decided by one standout presentation or one exceptional piece of analysis. More often, it's the accumulation of small behaviours over several weeks that leaves the biggest impression. Most managers don't expect interns to know everything. What they're really looking for is whether you're someone they can imagine working with full-time. So here are a few points worth remembering: 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐰. Don't wait until your final review. The earlier you ask, the more time you have to act on it. 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞. Receiving feedback isn't impressive. Demonstrating visible improvement is. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬. The best interns aren't always the ones with all the answers, but they're often the ones asking the best questions. 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞. Speak to people outside your immediate team. Learn about different desks, career paths and perspectives. The relationships you build now can last long after your internship ends. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐫. Volunteer to help, follow through on what you say you'll do, and be someone others enjoy working with. Small actions build trust. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬. Record your projects, challenges, feedback and successes. It'll make future interviews and applications much easier when you have real examples to draw upon. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞. Take an interest in what's happening across the markets and your industry beyond your day-to-day work. It leads to better conversations and demonstrates genuine enthusiasm. Remember, most return offers are earned through dozens of small interactions that gradually build confidence, trust and a reputation that people want to work with. Finish as strongly as you started - you got this! 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 ♻️ 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯. 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 Anthony Cheung 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦.