How to get the most out of your internship

Make the most of your internship by setting clear goals, building good working relationships, and leaving a strong impression.

Last updated 16 June 2026

1. Do your research

Learn all you can about industry trends and the company’s mission, vision and culture beforehand.
Read up on your company's hierarchical structure and the background of your internship supervisor if it is available online.
This will help you to assimilate faster into the new environment, boosting your performance and self-confidence.

Have a clear idea of what you want to learn and achieve from the internship e.g. what skills you wish to achieve, what you wish to find out about the industry and your fit for a career in this industry
Define your own goals and consider how you can attain them through the internship.
Be proactive and discuss with your supervisor on work expectations.

Take initiative, be resourceful and excel at your assigned tasks. Think of solutions before consulting others.
Be a team player and focus on building goodwill with your colleagues. Do not be afraid to clarify any grey areas that you might encounter in your work.
Be punctual i.e. arriving at least 15 min earlier. This means that you will have to plan your journey ahead and factor in any unforeseen delays. You will also have to find out where you will be reporting ahead of time.
Find out what is the dress code and be dressed professionally every day.
Looking at your hand phone or surfing the internet is a big NO-NO, even if you have completed your tasks. If you have completed your tasks, approach your supervisor for more tasks.
Treat your internship supervisor with respect. Inform your supervisor when you leave for lunch. If you are on MC, inform him/her as soon as you can. If you need to leave the workplace earlier, approach him/her for permission and inform him/her when you are leaving.

JC students are generally considered as unskilled workers. Do not be surprised if you are given "menial" tasks like data entry or photocopying. You can make the best of the situation by performing your routine tasks as efficiently as possible (without mistakes) and approaching your supervisor for more tasks.
Display an interest in your work, be flexible and innovative and be prepared to go the extra mile.
While at work, try your best to observe your supervisor at work (This is called work shadowing) and take the opportunity to interview your supervisor and his/her colleagues about their job during your break times. Read more about informational interviews here.

Observe the practices and people around you to understand the work culture.
Pay attention to attire, work schedules, email etiquette, communication styles and protocols.
If you are unsure, it is better to err on the conservative side and ask first.
The company assesses your work output as well as how you fit in, whether you co-operate with others, adapt to company norms and have a positive working attitude. Impress them with behaviour that is aligned with the organisation’s standards.

Use your internship to expand your professional network. Interact with co-workers from your team and other departments to gain insight into the company. Offer your help to gain more working experience.
Even if you are unpaid, or there for a few months, your performance could lead to the offer of a scholarship or subsequent internships during your university days.
Your supervisor is also potentially someone who can endorse your future job applications as a referee.

Ending an internship professionally is just as important as making a good start.
Speak to your supervisor and ask for feedback on how you have performed. This shows that you are willing to make changes to your behaviour.
If this was a relatively long attachment e.g. 3 months, you could ask your supervisor if he would be willing to write a testimonial highlighting your key skills and achievements.
Before you leave, convey your gratitude to your co-workers with a farewell email or a thoughtful gift to thank those you have worked with.