Before you begin, ask yourself what the best outcome is that you could possibly expect? It’s important to define clear goals and visualize success

Making The Most Of It All

The one quality that will assist you more than any other in your ventures is a genuine curiosity. This is something that can be cultivated through practice. Identify a lack of knowledge, and think of a way to fill in that gap

1. The Best Quality

A true desire to learn will motivate you to push yourself to find answers and get outside of your comfort zone. Whether that be asking questions, having a conversation, or looking up an answer online, an interest in what you find, see, or hear is valuable.

Why Bother

A genuine desire to learn, if shown properly, will show others that you are someone with a powerful ambition and commitment to improvement.People can get behind someone who wants to get better. That drive is inspiring to them.

Being Seen

Another quality that will only help is a desire to succeed. This can be successfully completing a project, helping out coworkers, or working toward some grand goal later down the road.

2. Drive

Setting goals and developing a desire to accomplish them will obviously motivate you greatly. Become a person who likes to succeed in everything you do and exceed expectations of those around you.

Purpose Of Desire

This practice leads into discipline, a skill that will allow you to do what needs to be done regardless of how you feel.

3. Punctuality

When you are consistent, you show others that you have control over your life. It also shows that you are reliable and predictable in a good way.

Why Bother?

Be proactive. This puts into action all that you’ve just read about.The only way to stand out is to do more for the duration of your internship. Accomplish more, better, faster. This does require good ol’ fashioned work, but it more so requires efficient use of your time.

4. Getting What You Want

Analyze your situation for knowledge or expertise gaps needing improvement. Have the drive to find those answers proactively. And, be reliable and consistent

To Summarize

If you’ve done all of these correctly, you should have confidence going into this next step: The Ask. Ask for the return offer, ask for the endorsement, ask for the letter of recommendation. You will be surprised how much people are willing to help if you’d only ask.

The Final Move

From a future medical student who received three letters of recommendation at the end of one internship…

Getting the Most of Your Internship

Andrew De Lapp