How Interns can Make Valuable Contributions

If you’re doing what you were told… you’re a good intern But if you’re doing what no one expected? Now that’s what makes you great Whether you’re remote or in-office, here’s what I think separates the two 👇🏽 1️⃣ Good interns complete tasks. Great interns take initiative. Good interns get things done But great interns? They go beyond the to do list They ask, “What’s the purpose of this?” or “Is there anything I could add to make this more efficient?” They’re not afraid to offer ideas, suggest improvements, or ask to be included on something new It’s not about doing more work, it's about thinking about adding value where you can 2️⃣ Good interns wait for direction. Great interns anticipate needs. Great interns pay attention to patterns and fill in gaps without being asked They’ll take notes during meetings and follow up with action items They’ll ask the hard questions, and come prepared with potential ideas But being proactive isn’t about having all the answers It’s about showing that you care enough to think ahead🧠 3️⃣ Good interns make connections. Great interns build genuine relationships. Yes, an intro message on Slack or LinkedIn is nice, but great interns don’t stop there They set up 1:1s, stay curious, and know that each convo is a learning opportunity And you know what else they do? They follow up with ✨gratitude✨, and stay in touch They understand that relationships are currency in the professional world and they take the time to invest (trust, I stilllll keep in touch with my colleagues from my first internship in 2021) 4️⃣ Good interns observe. Great interns reflect and apply. During your internship, you’ll see how teams make decisions, navigate challenges, and communicate Good interns take it all in Great interns use those observations to grow and learn how to navigate the environment (this is 🔑) They’ll ask, “I noticed you handled that feedback really well, any tips you have for me when it comes to receiving feedback?” or “That meeting didn’t go as planned. What would you do differently next time?” As someone who is consistently taking things in and asking questions, I can most definitely say this works! 5️⃣ Good interns do the job. Great interns leave a mark. You don’t have to be perfect None of us are But great interns are memorable for the right reasons They’re thoughtful, reliable, open, and bring positive energy to the team (positive energy goes a long way y’all) They’re the ones that teams say, “We’d love to bring them back” Because great interns aren’t just doing work, they’re building a reputation And who knows… Your reputation at your internship can end up with you having a full time job offer before starting your senior year (take it from me) So if you’re starting an internship soon (or in one now), here’s your reminder: Don’t just aim to do well Aim to stand out, learn deeply, and show up as someone people want to work with again Happy almost internship szn y’all! #intern

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.

"Sami, you have to practice talking about your work." ^That was some of the most valuable advice that I got when I started as an intern Nike and it has served me WELL over the course of my career so far. Talking about our work is more than just being able to explain what you did or a project you completed. Talking about your work is the continuous effort to socialize the value you bring to the organization. It creates allies and breeds confidence in your partners and stakeholders. In some cases, it can feel tedious (especially when it comes to documentation), but people cannot recognize or support what they cannot see or do not know. Ways this comes to life: - PROACTIVELY socializing progress and documenting status and updates. We do not wait for people to ask where something is at, we keep them proactively informed along the way. - Practice STORYTELLING our strategies and craft the narrative to the audience. - Identify the AUDIENCE and the TEAM for the work and determine the right level of communication based on role. - ASK questions: "Do you find this level of detail helpful? What am I missing?" My perspective is: "I want you to know what I do and what I am working on. I want you to understand how it connects to your objectives and priorities. I want you to feel like you have the info at your fingertips if you need to learn more."

To all the incredible summer interns out there – your time is valuable! I often think about the advice I'd give my younger self, or any intern looking to truly maximize their experience. Here are four of my top strategies to make the most of your summer: 1) Ask Questions (and keep asking!): Don't be afraid to speak up. Whether it's about a project, a process, or simply understanding "why," asking questions shows curiosity and a desire to learn. It's how you truly grasp the nuances of the business and your role. 2) Network Beyond Your Immediate Team: Reach out! Connect with people in roles or teams you're curious about for a quick coffee chat. Most professionals are happy to share their journey and insights, and these conversations can open doors you never even knew existed. Capitalize on the time you have access to internal teams. 3) Volunteer for Everything: See an opportunity to help out, even if it's outside your core responsibilities? Go for it! Volunteering for small tasks, cross-functional initiatives, or even social events shows initiative, expands your skill set, and gets you noticed. 4) Actively Ask for Feedback: Don't wait for your mid-point or end-of-internship review. Proactively ask your manager and teammates for feedback on your work and contributions. This shows a growth mindset, and gives you actionable insights to improve on the spot. Your internship is a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and build your network. Make every moment count! Interns, what's been your biggest takeaway or burning question so far? Experienced pros, what's one piece of advice you'd add for current interns? Share below! #SummerIntern #InternshipTips #CareerAdvice #StudentLife #TechIntern #JobSearchTips #Networking #Mentorship #ProgramManager #BigTech #CareerGrowth #blackintech

Looking to secure a return offer? Here’s how proactively seeking help landed me 3 return offers. During my internships, I struggled with asking for help. I would try to figure everything out on my own, thinking that was the best way to learn. This mindset came from the university, where collaboration wasnt always encouraged. Navigating the corporate world was a different experience for me. I had a hard time knowing when to ask for help because I was used to doing things myself. However, I quickly realized that in a company, especially at Microsoft, it’s essential to leverage the knowledge of your coworkers. They often have more subject matter expertise and can help you learn and solve problems faster. When I first joined my team, I would spend hours (sometimes days) stuck on a problem, hesitant to ask for assistance. As time passed during my internship, my mentor explained to me that reaching out to different team members for help is actually encouraged because of Microsoft’s growth principles. Additionally, he emphasized that during my internship, he wanted to ensure I had the opportunity to learn as much as I could. Given it was only 3 months, it would not be realistic to learn as much as possible if I was trying to figure everything out myself. This conversation taught me the value of seeking help proactively. Insights and Tips: 1. Recognize the Value of Your Team: Understand that your coworkers/mentors are there to help you. They have experience and knowledge that can help you overcome obstacles and learn more effectively. 2. Set a Time Limit: Employ a rule, like the 45-minute to an hour-and-a-half rule. If you’re stuck on a problem for that long without making progress, it’s time to ask for help. This prevents you from wasting time and allows you to move forward more quickly. 3. Learn from Interaction: Asking for help isn’t just about getting the answer—it’s about learning how to approach problems and gaining insights from others’ workflows/experiences. 4. Build Relationships: Proactively seeking help can also help you build stronger relationships with your team members. It shows that you value their expertise and are eager to learn. By changing my approach and seeking help when needed, I started learning more and became more productive. It’s crucial to realize that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. How do you approach asking for help at work or during your internship? Share your strategies and experiences in the comments! #Returnoffer #CareerGrowth #Internship #WorkplaceTips #Learning

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?