Having a summer job or internship is a great way to gain real world experience and get hands-on learning. Because summer employment typically only lasts about three months, it is important to make every day count. You want to learn as much as possible and jump on every opportunity presented to ensure that you make your summer job worthwhile. Follow these three simple steps to ensure that you maximize your summer job!

Be a self-starter.

Often time employers allocate more time than necessary for a task. If you finish early, ask for more work! When you take initiative and ask for more work, chances are that your employer will be more than happy to give you something else to do – therefore giving you another opportunity to learn. It is also important to ask questions. It is very typical for a company to have a specific way of doing things, but it’s okay to ask why. A majority of the time, your boss or manager will be impressed with your curiosity and be willing to explain to you why things are done a specific way. Again, this gives you another opportunity to learn.

Network.

Being the “new guy” in the office can be awkward and uncomfortable. However, if there’s one thing that most people have in common, it’s that they love talking about themselves. Reach out to your coworkers and make an effort to get to know them. Engaging with others will not only make work more enjoyable, but it doubles as an excellent way to network with others in your field. You already have one thing in common: your company, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find common ground on other topics as well. As important as it is to make these connections, it is just as important to keep these connections even after your summer employment has ended. Keep in contact and continue to grow these relationships – it will help you in the long run!

Have fun.

This may seem obvious and overstated, but having fun in the workplace is vital to success. There is a strong correlation between those who have fun in the workplace and those who are successful. Typically, the more fun you have, the more successful you are. “Fun” comes in different forms for different people, so make sure you find your own fun. It may be watching a silly video during your lunch break or sharing a new joke with a coworker. Whatever your fun may be, embrace it. It will make work more amusing, and besides, who doesn’t want to have fun?!

Although summer jobs are short, there are still plenty of opportunities for both personal and professional growth. If you spent your summer job being a self-starter, networking, and having fun, it’s safe to say that your manager would be more than happy to write you an excellent recommendation. If you’re looking to find a job, come check out our website. We would love to help you find an amazing job where you can learn and grow!