Navigating Internships: 7 Tips to Launching Your Career with Purpose

Embarking on the journey from college to career can be overwhelming, but securing the right internship can be your secret weapon.

I interned with The Communications Group (ComGroup) during my final semester of college. The CGXperience wasn’t my first internship, but each internship, whether I enjoyed it or not, taught me invaluable lessons. And sometimes, discovering what you don't want in a career is just as important as finding your passion.

My internship experiences taught me seven tips I’ll share with you when searching for an internship that sets you on the right path:

1. Relevance to Career Goals

If you have a specific interest, such as media relations, digital marketing, branding, crisis communication, etc., seek internships that let you dive into these areas. Specializing early can give you a competitive edge when entering the job market, boost your resume and help you define your direction post-graduation.

2. Hands-On Experience

The best internships go beyond shadowing or administrative tasks. Look for programs where you’ll contribute to, and maybe even lead, projects. Seeing your work come to life is rewarding and prepares you for full-time responsibilities. A well-rounded internship – whether it’s writing news releases, social media creation or developing marketing strategies – broadens your skillset and adaptability.

A beneficial internship provides mentorship from experienced professionals who guide you, offer feedback and share industry insights. Regular feedback is crucial for understanding strengths as well as areas for improvement, helping you grow and prepare for future roles.

Interning at a well-known company or agency adds credibility to your resume and opens doors to future opportunities. A strong brand name on your resume is often a conversation starter in interviews.

Internships that allow you to interact with clients, media contacts and industry professionals help you build a valuable network, which can be crucial during your job search. At ComGroup, our interns attend client and media meetings and join our PR team at the Arkansas PRSA monthly meetings to expand their connections with communications professionals.

Internships that offer the potential for full-time employment are particularly valuable, as they often indicate that a company is committed to your professional growth. However, it’s important to understand even if a company cannot offer a permanent position, it doesn’t diminish their recognition of your skills and potential. Your intern supervisors can still serve as excellent job references.

Not every internship is paid, but compensation eases financial stress and demonstrates how a company values your contributions. While perks like travel reimbursements are nice, a paid internship lets you focus on gaining experience without financial worries.

Regardless of the internship, you must put your best foot forward. Here are some tips to be the best intern possible and gain respect from colleagues:

• Show Initiative: Don’t wait to be told what to do. Look for ways to contribute and take ownership of your work.
• Emotional & Self-Awareness: Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and be open to feedback. This self-awareness makes you more adaptable and resilient.
• Effective Communication: Keep your team updated on your progress and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
• Do Your Job and Do It Well: Even if a task seems small, do it with excellence. Your effort will be noticed.
• Be Adaptable: The industry is ever-changing, and so should you be. Stay flexible and open to new challenges.
• Never Over-Promise: It’s better to under-promise and over-deliver. Manage expectations to build trust and credibility.

By focusing on these aspects, you can narrow your search, build your skills and pave the way for a successful career. The right internship can be a launching pad for your future, so choose wisely and make the most of every opportunity.

At ComGroup, our CGXperience is designed to prepare tomorrow’s communications leaders to achieve great things. Discover how we can help launch your career—learn more here.