Internship Strategies – Developing Relationships, Networking

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Author: Dina Barabash, Content Development & Web Specialist, Communications
Posted: July 7, 2025

Whether you are beginning your first internship or currently interning, the network of professional relationships you build is vital to your future success. According to Indeed.com, an internship is defined as a temporary role that’s often reserved for college students and recent graduates. Interns tend to work in exchange for school credit or base pay and internships can last anywhere from several months to a year. Internships can be helpful for students who haven’t yet settled on a career path by offering them a chance to work temporarily in a particular role or industry.

There are plenty of great ways to make the most of your time during an internship. One way is to cast a wide net! Be sure to network with a broad group of contacts – think big. Focus on those within your area of interest but also seek out those who are adjacent to your field. For example, if you’re interested in sales, you should network with salespeople, but also with those in marketing. Additionally, seek out those who are great leaders to better understand what it takes to succeed, how people have built their careers and what they’ve learned through their journeys.

When networking, be intentional with your time. Before attending an event or reaching out, clarify what you want to achieve. Whether it’s finding a mentor, exploring job opportunities, or learning about a new industry, setting clear goals ensures you make the most of your networking efforts.

Be sure to focus on your soft skills. What are those? They include common sense, the ability to deal with people, and a positive flexible attitude. In other words, a soft skill is your ability to relate and work with others. Popular soft skills include communication, teamwork and other interpersonal skills. Excelling in several soft skills will demonstrate your potential and make you more desirable to hiring managers. In addition, managers may be looking to hire someone that fits well into the established culture. Therefore, it is important to learn and master a variety of soft skills.

Networking is a skill that is necessary for reaching professional goals, job searching, discovering new career paths and more. Continue to push ahead and remember these few tips to help you in the months ahead.