From intern to full-time employee

July 16, 7:56 AMEntry Level Careers ExaminerHeather Huhman

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Your summer internship is likely nearing its end in the next few weeks. If you’ve already graduated from college, the question likely on your mind is whether or not the internship will become full-time employment.

In a recent interview with Dr. Joanne Sujanksy and Dr. Jan Ferri-Reed, authors of “Keeping the Millennials: Why Companies are Losing Billions in Turnover to This Generation, and What to Do About It” they provided advice for individuals in this exact situation:

1. Find opportunities to expand your experience when interning. In addition to completing your assigned tasks and projects, offer to help in other areas when you find ways that you can add value. Is someone researching something for which you have a resource? Do you have connections to professionals who may be of assistance to your firm specific to a project or problem?

2. Make contributions to the organization beyond your job. Tactfully make recommendations or give suggestions when you see an opportunity to improve or enhance something. Are you able to show a colleague how to get something done faster or with better accuracy? Are you volunteering to take on extra tasks that contribute to the organization while adding accomplishments to your résumé?

3. Keep track of your accomplishments. And speaking of adding to your résumé, keep a daily journal to of your activities and accomplishments for each day. It's often difficult to remember the number of projects and activities that you supported throughout your internship. Review your weekly journals and pick out key areas to add accomplishment statements to your résumé.

4. Get balanced feedback from others. Ask for feedback on your work periodically throughout your internship. Be careful not to bombard your boss daily or weekly. Instead, schedule a mid-term review half-way through your internship and final review as you finish your internship. Remember to ask for feedback on what you can enhance in addition to what you have done well. And don't forget to ask for suggestions on things that you still may need to learn or specific job skills you may need to attain.

5. Know your company inside and out. Before and during your internship, continually research the company. Find out how the company makes money, and indicate how you may be able to make a further contribution during your feedback and review discussions.

6. Look for mentors. In addition to your manager, find someone who you respect in the organization. Observe how he or she does business, and ask for advice or feedback from that person on what you can do to make a stronger impact. As you build your own relationships in the company, you are able to find more opportunities and more people who can advocate for you for future opportunities within the company—or outside of it.

7. Network. Ask your manager and colleagues for others in the organization who may want to meet you and know about your skills. Your company contacts may also know of others in the industry or community who may be interested in providing you with career advice or job opportunities.

Final note...it's all about relationships. In addition to updating your résumé throughout your internship, don't forget to request permission for references and secure referral letters from those who have admired your work or provided you support. Your ability to build and maintain relationships during your internship is the key to securing the future position that you covet.