6 Questions That Will Make You Stand Out at Your Internship

By Brittany Loeffler on May 30, 2019

Completing an internship in college is a great way to get your foot in the door when it comes to starting your career after graduation. It allows you to make great connections in the industry while also gaining valuable experience. However, it can be easy to fall in with the rest of the interns working there, which results in your supervisor glancing over you for opportunities.

One way to stand out at your internship is by asking perplexing and well thought out questions to your supervisor or other employees. Here are just a few that will separate you from every other intern in the company.

stand out at your internship

via Pixabay

#1 How Would You Evaluate My Performance So Far?

Rather than wondering how you are doing at your internship, get the courage to ask your supervisor how they think you are doing. This question shows your supervisor that you are self-aware and concerned about how you are performing in your role at the company. It shows that you show interest in succeeding and leaving a mark at the company when your internship is over.

You may also learn that you aren’t performing as well as you thought you were. This gives you a great opportunity to change your behavior and work ethic to really stand out at your internship in a positive way.

#2 Are There Any Skills That I Should Improve?

Supervisors and managers appreciate an employee or intern who is always looking to better themselves in their role. This question opens the window for feedback and constructive criticism that can be extremely beneficial to you both during your internship and later down the road when you start your career. Follow this question by asking how you should improve these skills. This will give you some direction about how to go about improving yourself at your internship.

#3 Where Do You See This Company/Industry Going?

There aren’t too many students who like to think about the future or the bigger picture. This question will make you stand out at your internship because it shows that you are interested in the future of the company and the industry. You will show your internship supervisor that you like to plan ahead and want to adapt and stay relevant within the industry or company. This also gives you the opportunity to offer your own thoughts about the company.

#4 Am I a Good Fit for this Career Path?

Not everyone is cut out for every career. Internships are a great way to determine if you would like to pursue a career in a certain industry. However, if you are unsure if you would be successful in that career path, don’t hesitate to ask your supervisor. Since they have been working in the industry much longer, they can honestly tell you if you have what it takes to succeed. While as a college student you may not succeed automatically, your supervisor can offer suggestions on what you can work on and skills you should acquire that will help you succeed in that career path after graduation.

#5 How Should I Network in this Industry? 

Networking is one skill every college student should master. You never know who you are going to meet and how they can help you advance your career later on in life. The best place to start networking is at your internship. Talk to different employees and make connections with the other interns while working there. If you are nervous or hesitant about networking, ask your supervisor for some tips on how to network with people in your industry. They may offer you some topics to talk about or even networking events to attend in the area.

#6 What’s the Difference Between a Good and a Great Intern?

Always go above and beyond when it comes to a job. You never want to complete a job and have people think it was only half completed or rushed. When you ask this question, it will make you stand out at your internship because it shows that you don’t want to just be a “good” intern, but a “great” one! You want to exceed expectations and go the extra mile when it comes to getting the job done. There is no better skill in the workplace than striving to succeed.

Stand Out at Your Internship

There are many ways to stand out at your internship. One way to stand out is by asking your supervisor questions. These questions will separate you from other interns because they show that you are interested in succeeding in your internship and what you think about the bigger picture. They show that you are self-aware and looking to make changes if needed. These qualities all make up a great employee, which can ultimately land you a job with the company after graduation.

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