You’re interning as an engineer. How can you make sure you get hired full-time?

1 Set SMART goals

One of the first things you should do as an intern is to set SMART goals for your internship. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These are criteria that help you define what you want to accomplish, how you will measure your progress, and when you will complete your tasks. SMART goals will help you stay focused, motivated, and accountable throughout your internship. They will also help you communicate your expectations and achievements to your supervisor and mentor.

2 Seek feedback and guidance

Another key to a successful internship is to seek feedback and guidance from your supervisor, mentor, and colleagues. Feedback is essential for improving your performance, learning from your mistakes, and identifying your strengths and areas of improvement. Guidance is important for finding solutions to challenges, learning best practices, and gaining insights from experienced engineers. Don't be afraid to ask questions, request feedback, and seek advice from your co-workers. They will appreciate your eagerness to learn and grow as an engineer.

3 Take initiative and ownership

As an intern, you want to show that you are not only capable of following instructions, but also of taking initiative and ownership of your projects. Taking initiative means that you proactively look for ways to contribute, add value, and solve problems. Taking ownership means that you take responsibility for your actions, outcomes, and mistakes. You can demonstrate these qualities by volunteering for tasks, proposing ideas, collaborating with others, and delivering quality work on time and within budget.

4 Showcase your skills and achievements

As an intern, you also want to showcase your skills and achievements to your employer. This means that you should document your work, keep track of your results, and highlight your contributions. You can showcase your skills and achievements by creating a portfolio of your projects, updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, and preparing a report or presentation at the end of your internship. You can also share your work with your co-workers, supervisor, and mentor, and ask for endorsements, recommendations, or referrals.

5 Express your interest and enthusiasm

Finally, as an intern, you want to express your interest and enthusiasm for working at your host company full-time. This means that you should communicate your career goals, expectations, and preferences to your supervisor and mentor. You should also research the company's culture, values, and vision, and align yourself with them. You should also network with other engineers, managers, and recruiters, and attend events, workshops, and trainings. You should also be positive, respectful, and professional at all times.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?