Internship programs are the best place to learn new skills and meet new people, so it’s crucial that you maximize every second of your internship. Make sure you’re taking advantage of the time you spend there.

While it’s true that your main focus during your internship should be the work, you shouldn’t miss this golden opportunity for networking. School is a great place to learn about the theories behind the work, but in a real-life setting, you will get to see how things are done.

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It’s not often that you will see so many people who are experienced in their respective fields in the same room, so you need to learn as much as you can from them in the limited time that you have.

With that said, here are four tips on how to make the most of your internship in terms of networking:

1. Be friendly and engage with people

It’s never a bad idea to wear a big, bright smile on your face! It’s a great way to show people that you are enthusiastic about being there and that you’re happy and willing to do anything.

That’s the secret to winning the trust of those around you, just being a person that they can talk to about anything. Make sure that you are always there to support people whenever they’re feeling down.

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2. Ask plenty of questions

Asking questions will help you get two things: the opportunity to learn and to make someone feel better about themselves. People want to feel important to others and when the new kid is asking them about their lives and how they came to be there, that will make them want to spill their guts.

They will be more eager to share with you all that they have learned on the job, namely the secrets to their success. Just make sure that you’re being genuine and honest so not to come off as a know-it-all.

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3. Strike up conversations

Of course, what would networking be without conversations?

You need to be the one to start conversations and maintain them, as that’s a great way to make people become more interested in you.

Sometimes you don’t even have to say anything about yourself, just tell them something interesting that’s going on with the world and if that piques their interest, they will continue to talk to you.

Additionally, you should also add your input and opinions on topics that have something to do with the work you’re doing, as that will show that you’re not just a pretty face.

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4. Set a goal for your networking and use it as a guideline

You need to keep your goals in mind when networking, as that will help you spend your time and energy more efficiently.

For example, if you want to learn more about management and business development, then you should spend time with an executive strategist, as they will be in the best position to answer your questions.

On the other hand, if you want to learn more about sales, you may need to speak to a senior sales coordinator, as they can help you to improve your skills significantly.

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If you’re looking for an internship program that will help you realize your potential, Internsinasia is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.

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