How To Turn Your Internship into a Part or Full-Time Job

by Michelle Matos

I obtained my first internship this past summer, starting in June and expecting to end in August. As the end of summer approached, my boss told me she was very pleased with my work and offered to extend my internship as a part-time job during fall semester! Now, as this semester comes to an end, she offered to extend my internship once again for the spring!
From working in the corporate world, I’ve learned a few things about how to make yourself stand out, so that you might be offered a job or extension after the end of your internship, if you so desire.


1. Make yourself valuable


If you are a valuable – better yet, irreplaceable – asset to a company’s team, they will want you to continue working there. We millennials come in with a fresh eagerness to work, new points of view, and a set of skills that some older employees haven’t had the chance to learn. Utilize your skills to their fullest, and take every opportunity to do what you do best. Deliver excellent work and go above and beyond in whatever ways you find possible. My next three tips all ultimately draw back to this one: show that you are valuable.

2. Bring up innovative ideas and suggestions


Maybe something you’ve learned in class or elsewhere, like a certain strategy or a new theory or method, could be beneficial to your work. Don’t get me wrong; you’re not there to completely revamp their work processes. But if you do happen to know of a technique that can make your work more efficient, bring it up as a suggestion! Just be aware that they might have already considered it, or might have a specific reason as to why they do things they way they do. Still, it couldn’t hurt to bring up something you think could really help.

3. Be proactive and seek new projects


Seek new projects and ask if there’s anything new you can help with immediately after you’ve completed your last task. Even with ongoing duties, if you know you can handle another project while keeping up with your normal workload, go for it! Take on something different that interests you, if you can. Your boss and coworkers will be impressed by your proactive and enthusiastic attitude.

4. Offer to help others whenever you can


You never know when a coworker might be so stressed that they secretly wish they had a little extra help, or just a small part of their workload lifted off their shoulders. This will generate goodwill between you and your coworkers, and show that you are truly dedicated to benefitting the company overall. (It also gives you an opportunity to take part in a project or type of work that interests you!)

If you maintain professionalism and a good work ethic, while following these tips, you’re sure to be liked and desired to stay at your workplace. If the opportunity arises, they might just hire you part or full-time!