Starting an internship can feel like taking your first steps into a whole new world. You might be excited but also a bit scared. That’s okay! Everyone feels that way at first. An internship is your chance to learn new things, meet new people, and start building your future.
But how do you make sure you get the most out of this time? Setting good goals can help you stay on track and feel proud of what you learn. Not just any goals, but SMART goals – ones that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. These kinds of goals can turn your internship from just okay to amazing!
SMART Goals for Internship
These 20 goals will help you make the most of your internship experience. Each one follows the SMART format to give you clear direction and a way to track your progress.
1. Learn Five New Technical Skills Within the First Month
When you start an internship, there’s so much to learn! Focus on picking up five specific skills that will help you in your field. These could be computer programs, tools, or methods that the experts at your workplace use every day.
Ask your boss or team members which skills would be most helpful for you to learn. Then make a plan to practice each one until you feel comfortable using it on your own. Keep a list of what you’ve learned and check off each skill as you master it.
“I will identify and learn five technical skills used in my field during my first month, spending at least one hour per day practicing each skill until I can use it without help. I’ll ask for feedback each week to make sure I’m learning correctly.”
2. Build Professional Relationships with Three Team Members by Week Four
Getting to know the people you work with is just as important as doing your tasks well. Pick three people on your team who can teach you different things about the job and company.
Set up time to talk with each person, maybe for lunch or coffee. Ask them about their job, how they got there, and what advice they have for someone new like you. These talks can lead to lasting connections that help you throughout your career.
“I will build meaningful professional relationships with three different team members by my fourth week, scheduling at least one 30-minute conversation with each person. I’ll prepare three good questions before each meeting and follow up with a thank-you note after.”
3. Complete One Major Project from Start to Finish Within Two Months
Nothing shows what you can do better than finishing a whole project by yourself. Talk to your boss about giving you one project that you can own from beginning to end.
Break the project into smaller steps with deadlines for each part. Ask for feedback as you go, but try to solve problems on your own first. Keep track of what you learn and any challenges you overcome so you can talk about them in future job interviews.
“I will successfully complete one major project assigned to me within my first two months, breaking it into weekly milestones. I’ll document my process, solutions to problems, and the final results to add to my portfolio and share with my supervisor.”
4. Improve One Key Performance Metric by 15% Before the End of the Internship
Every job has ways to measure how well work is being done. Find out what these metrics are in your role and pick one that you can improve through your own efforts.
Maybe you can help the team answer customer questions faster, or find a way to make a task take less time. Set a goal to improve that number by 15% by the time your internship ends. Keep track of your progress each week.
“I will improve one important performance metric in my department by at least 15% before my internship ends. I’ll identify the best metric with my supervisor, establish a baseline in week one, and track my progress weekly to ensure I’m on target.”
5. Give Three Presentations to Team Members During Your Internship
Being able to explain your ideas clearly to others is a skill that will help you in any job. Look for chances to practice by giving presentations about your work.
Start with something small, like sharing what you learned that week at a team meeting. Work your way up to a bigger presentation about a project you completed. Ask for feedback each time so you can get better.
“I will prepare and deliver three presentations of increasing complexity during my internship. My first presentation will be 5 minutes at a team meeting by week 3, the second will be 10 minutes by week 7, and my final presentation will be 15 minutes summarizing my contributions before my internship ends.”
6. Master the Company’s Main Software Platform Within Six Weeks
Most companies have special computer programs they use every day. Learning how to use these tools well can make you much more helpful to the team.
Find out which software is most important and ask if there are training guides you can follow. Practice using all the main features until you can work quickly without making mistakes. Keep notes about tricks you learn to help you remember them.
“I will become proficient in the company’s primary software platform within six weeks, completing all available training modules in the first three weeks. By week six, I will be able to perform all standard operations without assistance and help at least one other team member with a software question.”
7. Create a Professional Portfolio Featuring Four Work Samples by the End of the Internship
The work you do during your internship can help you get jobs in the future. Save examples of your best work to show others what you can do.
Choose four different projects or tasks that show different skills. For each one, write down what the goal was, what you did, and how it turned out. Ask your boss if it’s okay to include these in your portfolio before you leave.
“I will develop a professional portfolio containing four diverse work samples by my final day. Each week, I’ll identify potential portfolio pieces and properly document them with project descriptions, my specific contributions, and measurable results. I’ll have my supervisor review and approve all items before including them.”
8. Read One Industry-Related Article Each Workday for the Duration of the Internship
Staying up to date with news and trends in your field shows that you really care about your work. Make a habit of reading something related to your industry every day.
Find good websites, magazines, or blogs about your field. Read one article each workday during lunch or when you have free time. Keep a list of what you read and one thing you learned from each article.
“I will read one relevant industry article each workday throughout my internship, scheduling 15 minutes every morning for this purpose. I’ll keep a digital log of articles with brief notes on key takeaways and share one significant insight with my supervisor each week.”
9. Take on Two Additional Responsibilities Outside Your Job Description by Week Eight
Going above and beyond what’s expected shows that you’re eager to learn and help. Look for ways to do more than what’s in your job description.
Pay attention to tasks that need to be done or ways you could help other team members. Offer to take on two extra responsibilities that interest you. Make sure you can still do your main tasks well while handling these new duties.
“I will identify and volunteer for two additional responsibilities beyond my assigned duties by the eighth week of my internship. I’ll first master my core responsibilities, then approach my supervisor with specific suggestions for how I can contribute more, committing to these new tasks for the remainder of my internship.”
10. Receive “Exceeds Expectations” on at Least Three Areas in Your Final Evaluation
Getting good feedback at the end of your internship can help you get a job offer or a good reference. Set a goal to do especially well in at least three areas that will be on your final review.
Ask your boss early on about how you’ll be evaluated. Focus extra effort on three areas where you want to shine. Ask for feedback throughout your internship so you can keep improving in these areas.
“I will achieve ‘Exceeds Expectations’ ratings in at least three evaluation categories on my final internship assessment. During my first week, I’ll learn the evaluation criteria, select three focus areas, and request monthly feedback meetings to track my progress and make improvements.”
11. Develop and Document Five Process Improvements Within Your Department
Every workplace has ways to make things better and faster. Use your fresh perspective as an intern to spot problems and suggest solutions.
Look for tasks that seem to take too long or cause frustration. Think about how they could be done better. When you have an idea for improvement, write it down clearly and share it with your team. Keep track of which ideas get used.
“I will identify, develop, and document five specific process improvements in my department during my internship. I’ll observe current procedures for the first two weeks, then propose one improvement every two weeks, including a detailed plan for implementation and potential benefits to the team.”
12. Attend Three Networking Events and Follow Up with Five New Contacts from Each
Meeting people outside your team can open doors to future opportunities. Make it a goal to expand your network while you’re an intern.
Find out about company events, industry meetups, or online gatherings you can join. At each event, introduce yourself to at least five new people. Get their contact information and send them a note afterward to keep the connection going.
“I will participate in three networking events during my internship and establish meaningful connections with five new professional contacts at each event. Within 48 hours after each event, I’ll send personalized follow-up messages to each new contact and connect with them on LinkedIn with a customized invitation.”
13. Learn and Use 20 Industry-Specific Terms Correctly by Week Five
Every field has its own special words and phrases. Learning this language helps you fit in and shows that you’re serious about your work.
Make a list of words and terms you hear but don’t understand. Look them up or ask someone what they mean. Practice using these terms in your work until they feel natural. Try to learn at least 20 by your fifth week.
“I will learn and correctly use 20 industry-specific terms by the end of my fifth week. I’ll create a personal glossary, adding at least four new terms each week, reviewing them daily, and using each term correctly in written work or conversation at least three times to ensure I’ve mastered it.”
14. Identify and Solve Two Recurring Problems Your Team Faces
Problem-solving is a skill that employers value highly. Show what you can do by fixing issues that have been bothering your team.
Keep your eyes open for problems that come up over and over. Ask questions to understand why they happen. Then come up with solutions and offer to put them in place. Document how your solutions helped the team.
“I will identify two recurring problems affecting my team’s productivity by week four and implement effective solutions by week ten. For each problem, I’ll gather data to understand root causes, develop at least three potential solutions, present them to my supervisor, and lead the implementation of the approved solution.”
15. Create a Five-Year Career Plan Based on Your Internship Experience by the Final Week
Use what you learn during your internship to help plan your future career. Think about what parts of the job you like and don’t like.
Talk to people with different roles and levels of experience to learn about possible career paths. By your last week, write down your career goals for the next five years, including skills you want to learn and positions you want to reach.
“I will develop a detailed five-year career plan by my final week, based on insights gained throughout my internship. I’ll conduct informational interviews with three professionals in my field, research growth opportunities, and create a specific timeline with educational goals, skill development targets, and professional milestones I aim to achieve.”
16. Shadow Four Different Roles for Half a Day Each by Week Nine
Learning about different jobs can help you understand how everything fits together and what you might want to do in the future.
Ask your boss if you can spend half a day watching and helping people in four different roles. Come prepared with questions about what they do, what skills they need, and how they got to where they are now. Write down what you learn from each experience.
“I will arrange and complete four half-day shadowing experiences with professionals in different roles related to my field by the ninth week of my internship. For each shadowing session, I’ll prepare five specific questions beforehand, take detailed notes during the experience, and write a one-page reflection afterward on how that role aligns with my interests and goals.”
17. Contribute Three Ideas During Team Meetings That Get Implemented
Having your ideas used by the team is a great way to make a lasting impact during your internship. It also shows that you’re thinking about how to help the company.
Listen carefully during meetings and think about ways to help with challenges the team is facing. When you have a good idea, speak up and explain it clearly. Keep track of which ideas get used and how they help.
“I will contribute three actionable ideas during team meetings that my department chooses to implement before my internship ends. I’ll prepare before each meeting by reviewing the agenda, thinking of at least one potential solution to a current challenge, and presenting my ideas clearly with specific benefits to the team.”
18. Get Certified in One Relevant Skill Through an Online Course During Your Internship
Adding a certification to your resume can help you stand out when applying for jobs. Use your time as an intern to earn a credential related to your field.
Ask your boss or other team members which certifications would be most valuable for your career. Find an online course you can complete while still doing your internship work. Set aside time each week to study and practice for the certification exam.
“I will earn one industry-recognized certification related to my role by completing an online course during my internship. In my first two weeks, I’ll research and select an appropriate certification with my supervisor’s input, create a 10-week study schedule with weekly goals, and pass the certification exam before my internship concludes.”
19. Write Weekly Reflection Journals and Compile Top 10 Lessons Learned by the End
Taking time to think about what you’re learning helps the lessons stick with you longer. It also gives you stories to share in future job interviews.
At the end of each week, write down what you did, what went well, what was hard, and what you learned. Before your internship ends, look back at all your notes and make a list of the 10 most important things you learned.
“I will write a detailed reflection journal entry every Friday throughout my internship, analyzing my experiences and lessons from that week. By my final week, I’ll review all entries and compile my top 10 most valuable lessons learned, creating a two-page summary document to discuss with my supervisor and reference in future job interviews.”
20. Secure a Reference Letter and LinkedIn Recommendation Before Your Last Day
Good references can help you land your next job. Make sure you leave your internship with proof that you did well.
Do your best work throughout your internship so your boss will want to recommend you. About two weeks before your last day, politely ask your supervisor for a reference letter and a recommendation on LinkedIn. Suggest some specific achievements they might mention.
“I will earn and secure both a detailed reference letter and LinkedIn recommendation from my supervisor before my final day. I’ll track all my accomplishments weekly, schedule a performance discussion two weeks before my end date, and provide my supervisor with a summary of my three biggest contributions to make writing the recommendation easier.”
Wrapping Up
Setting SMART goals for your internship can make all the difference between just passing time and truly growing as a professional. With clear targets that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, you can take control of your learning journey and make sure you gain valuable skills and experiences.
The goals we’ve shared cover many aspects of professional growth – from technical skills and relationship building to problem-solving and future planning. Pick the ones that match what you want to achieve, or use them as inspiration to create your own SMART goals. The important thing is to have a plan and check your progress along the way.
Your internship is a short but precious time to learn, grow, and show what you can do. With the right goals to guide you, you can make the most of every day and set yourself up for future success in your career.