Enhancing Internship Experiences

To all the interns out there: this one’s for you. Internships are more than a line on your résumé—they’re an early chapter in your professional story. And how you write that chapter can shape the trajectory of your career in ways you might not expect. As you begin your internship experience, please remember that the purpose of an internship is to help you get professional experience and also help shape your thoughts about your early career priorities.   Whether you walk away from your internship thinking "I love this and want more of it,” or "this field may not be for me," that’s a win. The purpose of an internship is to gain real-world experience, explore your interests, and begin shaping your early career direction. Learning what you don't want to do can be just as valuable as discovering your passion. And here’s something every intern should know: 👉 An internship is also an audition. How you show up—your attitude, your work ethic, your curiosity—can position you for your first full-time job. When you stand out as an intern, people remember. You’re not just doing tasks; you’re building trust, demonstrating potential, and creating future opportunities Here’s my best advice for making the most of your intern experience: 🔹 Be curious. Ask questions—not just about your assignments, but about how the organization works, how leaders make decisions, and how people collaborate. Curiosity shows engagement, and it helps you connect dots others might miss. 🔹 Show up like you belong. Because you do. Don’t wait for permission to contribute. Speak up in meetings, offer to help on projects, and bring your fresh perspective to the table. Confidence grows through action. 🔹 Build relationships. The people around you are part of your learning experience. Find mentors, ask for coffee chats, and get to know the team beyond their titles. Relationships often matter more than résumés in the long run. 🔹 Treat every task like it matters. Whether you’re sitting in on a brainstorm or proofing a deck, your approach to the work speaks volumes. Excellence in the little things builds trust for bigger opportunities. 🔹 Reflect and reset. Take time each week to jot down what you’ve learned and where you want to grow. Internships are about learning—knowing what’s working (and what’s not) is how you evolve. An internship is a two-way street. Yes, you’re there to learn—but you also have value to offer. Be bold, be curious, and be open. You’re building more than experience—you’re building your professional identity. You've got this. 💼✨ #InternshipAdvice #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ReputationMatters #Mentorship 

Here’s ONE thing I’ve been doing during my internship that’s helping me CONNECT the dots between what I’m doing now and landing a RETURN offer (hopefully 🤞): 📝 I started keeping a daily journal of what I’ve been doing and why I’m doing it. Not like a “dear diary” thing. Just 5–10 minutes at the end of the day to write: - What tasks I worked on - Who I collaborated with - What problem it solved (or contributed to 😔) What I didn’t understand at first — and how I figured it out It sounds simple, but this habit is already changing how I approach my internship. Here’s what it’s been helping me with so far: 🔍 1. It makes me more intentional at work When I know I’m going to reflect on my work, I ask better questions in real time: “Why are we doing this?” → instead of just “How do I do this?” “How does this affect the user/team?” → instead of “Is this right?” That small mindset shift makes me show up more like a full-time teammate than just “the intern.” 🧠 2. It helps me actually remember things The first week felt like drinking from a firehose. Names, tools, acronyms, tickets — all a blur. Now, because I’m writing things down: I don’t have to re-ask the same questions I have a personal cheat sheet of what I’ve learned I’m already building stories for resume bullets or interviews 📈 3. It helps me see my own progress Some days feel like I didn’t do much. But when I flip back through my notes, I realize: “Oh, wait. I solved a weird bug, got unblocked faster, or finally figured out how to use that internal tool.” Those small wins stack up — and help me stay motivated, even on quiet days. It’s easy to let the days blur together during an internship, especially when you're just trying to stay afloat. But this one small habit is helping me: ✔ Build self-awareness ✔ Track my value ✔ And prep for that mid-internship check-in or return offer convo without scrambling If you're interning (or have before), curious to hear: What’s one habit you wish you started earlier? 👇 Drop it below — I’m always trying to level up.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a handful of coffee chats—some with professionals, others with interns and students currently navigating their internships. One question kept coming up: What can I do to secure a return offer? I’ve been there, and I know how much that question weighs on your mind, especially as you hit the midpoint or start thinking about how to wrap up strong. When I interned at AWS, a few intentional moves helped me turn that experience into a return offer. 1. Get clear on expectations Have a direct conversation with your manager about what success looks like. Set goals, schedule midpoint check-ins with mentor, manager and work backwards from a clear plan. 2. Track your progress Keep a running doc of what you’re working on, who you meet, feedback you receive, and lessons learned. This helps with final presentations, and reflection. 3. Ask for feedback early and often Don’t wait for your exit review. Ask what’s going well and what to improve while you still have time to act on it. It shows committed to growing and gives you time to make real adjustments. 4. Stay organized and manage your time It’s easy to get disorganized towards the end of your internship and you start to lose track. Use a system that works for you—calendar, task list, Notion, etc. Stay on top of your work so nothing slips through the cracks. 5. Be proactive and add value Say yes to new opportunities and look for ways to contribute beyond your project. Leading a task, supporting a teammate, organizing a team building activity. Just be intentional—impact > quantity. 6. Build meaningful connections Network with people outside your team. Schedule coffee chats, quick intros, staying after meetings to ask questions. This all counts, follow up, and stay curious. These relationships often outlast the internship itself, they can become mentors, advocates or even friends. 7. Show your growth, not just results Speak up in meetings, and reflect on how you’ve grow not just what you’ve done. Let your team see your progress in real time. How have you adapted what you’ve learned? Growth over time is just as valuable as the final results. 8. Work on both technical and soft skills Yes - master the tools, write clean code, build the dashboard. But, also practice communication, time management, collaboration, and self-awareness. These skills will set you apart. 9. Build your personal brand on LinkedIn Connect with the people you meet. Share what you’re learning, showcase your journey. A thoughtful presence can leave a lasting impression and open doors. 10. Keep your resume updated Make weekly updates to your resume, write down your wins and impact while it’s happening. This saves time later and keeps your achievements accurate. Finishing strong isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It means being thoughtful, consistent, and intentional with how you show up. Let me know which of these help and share your own tip.

Sharing some lessons from my internship journey 👋 To everyone starting or currently in an internship – congratulations! It's a fantastic opportunity for growth. Reflecting on my own experience, I wanted to share a few things that genuinely helped me build connections and make the most of my time. These are just lessons I learned, and every experience is unique, but hopefully, some of these resonate: Connect Widely : Don't just stick to your immediate team. Try to connect with people across different departments. Ask your manager for suggestions on who might be good to chat with. When you connect, be genuinely curious! Ask them about their journey, what they work on, and how they find the company. Share a bit about your project and what you're learning. Crucially, ask for their insights: "How can I make the most of my time here?" or "If you were in my shoes, what would you do differently?" Listen carefully and jot down any suggestions – they're gold. Building these genuine connections is incredibly rewarding. Master Your Manager Check-ins & Be Proactive : Regular check-ins (weekly is often ideal) are key. But try to shift the focus from just listing tasks you completed. Frame it around impact and alignment: "I worked on X, which contributes to Y high-level goal. I believe this approach will help us achieve Z. Are we aligned on this?" Be proactive: show your planned next steps rather than waiting for them to assign them. Preparing for these meetings (thinking about potential questions you might be asked) shows you're thinking ahead. Set a clear goal for your internship and break it down into smaller, weekly deliverables. Share this plan and your progress regularly with your manager. Also, keep track of and mention any help you provided or tasks you took on outside your main project – it shows initiative. Embrace Curiosity & Don't Be Afraid to Ask: Interns are often valued for bringing fresh perspectives. Don't hesitate to share your ideas respectfully. And it's always okay to ask questions if you don't understand something. Phrases like "Could you explain that like I have no prior context?" or simply saying "I'm not quite following, could we revisit that?" are perfectly fine. If it's difficult to ask in a large meeting due to time, schedule a quick follow-up with the person later. Showing that you want to understand is much better than pretending you do! Explore Your New Location (If You Move!) : If your internship takes you to a new city or state, make the most of it! Explore locally and, if possible, nearby regions. It's a great chance to experience new places and take a mental break. (When I interned at Whirlpool, I got to see Michigan, Chicago, and even Canada!). These experiences add so much to your overall internship memory. These were just a few things that personally helped me. Every internship is different, but a foundation of genuine connection, clear communication, proactivity, and curiosity goes a long way.

It’s officially summer intern season. My first were at Google and Goldman Sachs. Here are 10 things I wish I had known before day one: 1. Build real relationships. Your intern class might become your future coworkers, clients, or investors. Stay in touch. 2. Ask good questions. Curiosity shows you're engaged. Keep a running list and ask in batches so you're using your team’s time well. 3. Understand how you’re being evaluated. Ask your manager what matters most. Then focus your energy there. 4. Look for ways to add leverage. Don't just complete tasks. Find patterns and package your work in ways that save your team time. 5. Nail the details. Spelling, formatting, consistency, filenames. It all signals care and credibility. 6. Finish the last 10 percent. Before sharing anything, ask yourself what the output means. Add insight, suggest next steps, or connect it back to the broader context. 7. Learn something every day. Write down one thing you didn’t know each morning and one thing you learned by the end of the day. 8. Network across the firm. Reach out to people you’re curious about. Interns who take initiative tend to be remembered. 9. Stay professional. In meetings, over email, and especially at happy hour. 10. Get the offer. Even if you’re unsure this is your path, future employers will ask if you got it. It's your first signal to the market. Internships can shape careers. Show up prepared, pay attention, and take it seriously. But enjoy it too. It’s just work. What would you add to this list?

Internship season is here! Reflecting back, a few things I wish someone had told me when I was starting out: Your internship isn’t just about completing tasks, it’s your chance to see how things actually work inside an organization. Your meta-goal is to understand the system. * How do decisions actually get made? * What does the company genuinely value? * Who holds influence and why? You’re new, so you have permission to ask tons of questions. Take advantage of that, curiosity is your edge. Some tactical advice: * Show up early: Ask your manager what time people usually arrive, then show up 10–15 minutes earlier. Earn the flexibility to arrive later. * Seek frequent feedback: Don’t wait for official check-ins; proactively ask how you can improve. * Balance networking and rest: Definitely attend events, but prioritize being rested and alert. Your internship isn’t just a 10-week social mixer. This is how I treated my new analyst summer training at Goldman Sachs, don’t be me. * Inbox zero, Slack zero: At least for your first two weeks, clear these daily. It trains you on what truly matters and ensures you don’t miss anything important. * Underpromise, overdeliver: Missing deadlines erodes trust fast. Give conservative estimates and then pleasantly surprise. * Look for unspoken work: The best interns not only do what they’re asked but also spot work that hasn’t been assigned yet. That’s the real job. One more thing: build real relationships. The people you intern with — teammates, mentors, even other interns — can become lifelong collaborators. Don’t just network up; network sideways. I met one of my close friends and Petal co-founders, Berk Ustun, during my internship at Amazon. We were both interns. You never know where those early connections will lead. He’s just one of many amazing people I met as a co-intern. Don’t underestimate who’s sitting next to you. Most importantly: internships compound. This early step shapes your professional trajectory, and each experience builds on the last. What you put in is what you’ll get out. Good luck out there! Monday’s the perfect day to start strong. Would love to hear advice from former interns I’ve worked with Cameron Spiller, Alexander Ueki, Kaycee Pham, Emilia French, Jordon Chiong, Eric Kong + others I’ve been lucky to work with. (12 years ago. Technically on a work night. Cory, George)

Own your internship journey Your manager is there to guide, support, and cheer you on, but the best outcome happens when you take charge of your own success.  I shared this advice with our finance and IT interns during yesterday's goal-setting session. Be intentional with your work, take the initiative to ask for specific tasks, and keep track of the progress you're making. This approach will not only help you grow but also make your internship experience truly rewarding. During our session, I emphasized the importance of having a plan with clear, measurable goals. Here are the 4 types of goals I encouraged them to set and review with their managers: 1️⃣ Project-Based Goals: Clearly define your project, outline your tasks and responsibilities, and envision the outcomes you aim to achieve. 2️⃣ Final Internship Presentation: Develop your presentation throughout your internship. Conduct weekly reviews with peers to discuss your learning and challenges. By consistently adding to your presentation, you'll be well-prepared and confident when it's time to present. 3️⃣ Networking: Schedule 1-2 coffee meetings each week with colleagues from your team, cross-functional teams, and other departments. This will give you a well-rounded understanding of the company and how we collaborate. Prepare a list of 10-15 thoughtful questions to spark conversations about career paths, advice, and experiences. 4️⃣ Technical Skills Development: Identify tools like Excel, Salesforce, and Power BI that you can learn to enhance your ability to create reports, dashboards, and analyze data. Consider how mastering these tools can impact your work and support the business. #EarlyCareerAdvice #SummerInterns #Interns #InternshipAdvice #EarlyTalent #SummerGoals #Goals #InternshipGoals

It’s intern season again! I still remember being an intern—eager but nervous, and trying to make sense of it all. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of supervising many young professionals during summer internships. Every year, I’m reminded how impactful those early experiences were for me—and how much guidance and encouragement can shape someone’s path. Internships aren’t just career starters—they’re trust-building moments, learning labs, and opportunities to discover your own potential. As the 2025 summer internship season kicks off, here are a few things I’ve learned (and try to practice) when working with interns: 🔸 Empower and support Give them real ownership. They’re not just here to observe—they’re here to learn and grow. Trusting someone with meaningful work can transform how they see themselves—and how they show up. 🔸 Simplify and explain the ‘why’ It’s easy to take context for granted when you’ve been doing something for a while. But when you take the time to break things down and explain the reasoning behind a task, it gives others purpose—and it reminds you of the bigger picture too. 🔸 Learn each other’s styles Everyone works and communicates differently—but some interns are still figuring out what their style is. Creating space to effectively communicate and understand each other makes collaboration smoother. 🔸 Practice patience We all started somewhere. We all asked the “simple” questions once. Some of the most powerful growth comes when someone feels safe enough to say, “I don’t know yet.” 🔸 Set clear expectations Structure builds confidence. Clear goals, and timelines help interns thrive—and reduce confusion on both sides. 🔸 Learn and grow together Interns aren’t just learning from us—we’re learning from them. New tools, new trends, new ways of thinking. Growth goes both ways. 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿: Take notes. Ask questions. Speak up when you’ve had a chance to form your thoughts. Listen—really listen—and take time to reflect, not just execute. If you're asked something once, absorb it and use it moving forward. If you don’t know something yet, don’t be afraid to say so—just be proactive about finding the answer. Stay curious. Your perspective matters more than you think

Happy June! 🌞 With internship season upon us, I want to take a moment to wish every intern the very best as you step into new roles, new environments, and new opportunities to grow. Whether it’s your first internship or one of a few along the way, this season is full of potential—to learn, to contribute, and to build connections that can really shape your journey. Here’s one piece of advice I want to share: Internships move fast. There’s a lot to learn, people to meet, and tasks to juggle—so much so that it’s easy to overlook just how much growth is happening in real time. That’s why I encourage you to take a few minutes each week to track these 3 P’s: Projects 📋 • What did you work on or contribute to? • What skills, tools, or systems did you use? • What kind of impact did you have—no matter the size? People 👥 • Who did you meet or collaborate with this week? • Who offered insight, support, or guidance? • Who do you want to follow up with or stay connected to? Performance 📈 • What feedback did you receive—positive or constructive? • What behaviors or habits led to that feedback? • What strengths are you building, and where do you want to improve? Write it down, record it, or keep a running note—whatever works best for you. These reflections won’t just help you get the most out of your experience now; they’ll also make your resume stronger, your interview stories sharper, and your career moves more confident down the line. Remember: “To be early is to be on time; to be on time is to be late.” Being proactive, prepared, and ahead of the game during your internship will set you apart. Wishing you an incredible summer—you’ve got this! 💼✨ #InternshipAdvice #CareerDevelopment #StudentSuccess #EarlyCareer #LinkedInTips