7 Tips for Internship Season
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.
