Internship programs are the most crucial period of a student’s life. It is so because when students work as interns at a firm, they gain experience by practically applying classroom knowledge and seeking career exploration opportunities. It helps to inculcate a sense of professionalism and add a feather to their cap. 

Internships also offer students the chance to bag a permanent job as full-time employees if their performance is appreciable throughout the internship program. Many employers see training offers as a means of granting pre-placement offers (PPO) to deserving candidates. It is considered the most suitable method of spotting and hiring potential employees at a firm. 

Therefore, this summer, ace your internship by securing a PPO and becoming a full-time employee!

Before the internship,

Before joining, here are a few tips you can follow to get a better grasp during the internship:

Know your Product

Get detailed information about the company to know about the following:

  • What kind of product or domain does the company work in? (What do they sell or deal with?)
  • How do they do it? (What interface, website, or technologies do they use?)
  • What will your role be in the company as an intern?

You will get to know what area you will be working on and how you should approach it. Do contact your supervisor for more clarity regarding your role. 

Be crystal clear about project deliverables.

After learning about the company and your role as an intern, having a clear-cut idea about the project deliverables will give you a head start. Here’s what you should be clear about:

  • What does the manager have in mind regarding the project?
  • What is the project going to be?
  • What kinds of deliverables do you have, and are you familiar with them?

The answers to these questions will help you understand the project workflow and devise a plan accordingly. 

If this is not possible before the internship, solve these queries by the first week. Solving questions will work in your favor because your efforts will inevitably present you as a hardworking candidate. 

Brush Up on the Hard and Soft Skills

Once you have an idea of the project deliverables, it gets easier to understand the skills you should brush up to perfect your project presentations and tasks. 

For example, if you are doing an internship with a tech company (like Google, Microsoft, or Goldman Sachs) as a coder:

  • Hard skills: be proficient in technical skills such as coding languages (like Java, Python, C++, Kotlin, or any other technical skill.)
  • Soft skills: Be proactive in collaborating with fellow interns, sharpen problem-solving skills, and be open to self-learning. You must also be punctual, submit work on time, and display teamwork and leadership skills.

During the internship

Here are some valuable tips to be noticed by a potential PPO:

Be an Overachiever 

Being an overachiever involves showing your employers that you are the right fit for the job. To do this:

  • Express your enthusiasm in every task you undertake
  • Complete your tasks diligently before the deadline
  • Take the initiative to do challenging tasks
  • Have a keen eye for detail and go the extra mile 

For example, along with your presentation, prepare a detailed excel sheet even though your employer has not asked for it. 

The Triad Rules

It’s always said that you should have lunch with three kinds of people in a company to establish a healthy colleague network by collaborating with:

Top-tier decision-makers:

It includes the department head(s) under whom the intern does their internship (sometimes, it can also be the manager or supervisor who has recruited the interns). 

You can request a 10-minute meeting and try to build a rapport with them. For example, you might have found a better solution for solving the inventory-customer discrepancy; arrange an appointment to explain the same. 

Mid-Tier People’s People:

It involves mid-level managers or those who deal with employees (like HRs or department managers working under the head). This tier is the most important for management students because getting acquainted with managers will help you understand the company’s work culture.

Bottom-Tier the foot soldiers:

It incorporates those who take directions from the above levels and execute the final task. They generally do most of the work (from product creation to execution) and take the last mile (like selling it off to customers through various distribution channels). 

Hence, establishing a solid relationship with them will help you understand how the company undertakes a task, processes it, and executes it. 

Seek Feedback

In the end, seek feedback from your employers to note how they perceive your work progress. You can ask for feedback on your performance during your ‘lunch-times’ with the people from all three levels. 

Understand, jot down the criticism, and appreciate it by working on those points. 

Asking for a PPO

One can always ask for a PPO after they have completed the internship or right before it ends. You may send an email humbly expressing your gratitude for the internship offer and the valuable experience and exposure gained through your internship.

You can also schedule a conversation with your supervisor or manager (either virtually or physically) during the last few weeks and show your interest in converting the internship into a career. 

Start the conversation positively and reflect on your internship to leave a positive impression. Show the management how the training has helped you grow into a better version of yourself and brush up on your skills.

However, before asking for a PPO, do fulfill the following during your internship period:

  • Be diligent in your work.
  • Invest, innovate, and be dedicated.
  • Please show your work expertise and sincerely apply it

Then, you can ask for it with a well-prepared pitch by stating your interest in a long-term profile with the company.

Spend this summer break bagging a good summer internship to add to your resume and gain professional work experience. Also, work hard to ensure you get a PPO from the internship offer and become a full-time employee by the end. To get more insights and the latest updates, Download the Seekho App today!

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