Last week, I talked with three former students who are midway through summer internships. I was impressed by how each of them wanted to ensure they were doing everything possible to impress their current employers.
While first impressions are always important, I suggested that this is the ideal time to make sure they leave a positive, lasting impression.
The second half of your internship is your chance to demonstrate growth, initiative, and professionalism. Employers notice interns who build on early experiences rather than simply counting down the days until the internship ends. Here are several ways to maximize the remainder of your summer. Since those conversations last week, here are some other thoughts on how to achieve your goals, develop important professional skills, find a mentor, and lay the groundwork for your next opportunity:
- Ask for feedback. Schedule a brief conversation with your supervisor to discuss your performance so far. Ask what’s going well and where you can improve. Showing that you value constructive feedback demonstrates maturity and a willingness to learn. As mentioned in last week’s post, don’t get defensive with perceived negative feedback. You have time to correct course.
- Volunteer for new challenges. If you’ve mastered your regular assignments, ask if there are additional projects or meetings where you can contribute. Stretching beyond your comfort zone often leads to valuable learning experiences.
- Strengthen your writing portfolio. Save copies of work you’re permitted to keep, including news releases, media lists, social media content, blog posts, or research projects. These samples will become valuable when applying for future internships and full-time positions.
- Build relationships across the agency or company. Don’t limit your networking to your immediate supervisor. Introduce yourself to colleagues in other functions (finance, business development, creative, etc.), ask thoughtful questions about their careers, and learn how their work connects to public relations.
- Observe the bigger picture. Pay attention to how strategy is developed, how client relationships are managed, and how teams respond to unexpected challenges. The lessons learned from observation are often just as valuable as the assignments you complete.
- Document your accomplishments. Keep a running list of projects, measurable results, new skills, and positive feedback. This information will make updating your résumé and preparing for interviews much easier.
- Improve one professional skill. Whether it’s media pitching, presentation design, analytics, event planning, or social media strategy, choose one area where you want to finish the internship noticeably stronger than when you started.
- Express appreciation. Thank coworkers who have invested time in your development. A sincere thank-you, whether in person or by email, leaves a positive impression and helps build lasting professional relationships.
- Discuss next steps. Before your internship concludes, ask your supervisor about future opportunities, recommendations, or ways to stay connected. Even if a full-time position isn’t available, maintaining those relationships can open doors later.
As your internship winds down, remember that your reputation is still being built every day. Continue arriving prepared, meeting deadlines, asking thoughtful questions, and maintaining a positive attitude. The final weeks often leave the strongest impression because supervisors are evaluating your overall growth and professionalism.
A successful internship isn’t measured only by what you learned—it’s measured by the relationships you built, the confidence you gained, and the impression you leave behind. Finish strong, stay curious, and use every remaining opportunity to demonstrate the kind of public relations professional you aspire to become.