Goal Setting at your Internship
"A goal well-set is half achieved." - Abraham Lincoln
Before you start a project for school, join a club, try-out for a sports team, or join the band you have to consider the goals of such a challenge. Even if you don’t formally define goals before taking on one of these opportunities you surely consider what you hope to get out of the experience. Your internship will be a similar.
So, you just found out that you’ll be working for a specific company, you have met your assigned mentor, you have good feel for what they do at this business, but what will you be doing? How will you spend your time at this worksite? Taking the time to set some goals for the semester will be critical to getting the most out of this experience. You don’t want to have regrets.
It’s important that you have a conversation with your mentor about what your goals will look like. Every mentor is different and yours may have some ideas about how he or she wants the internship experience to go. You should have a voice in this process as well. Be sure to communicate your strengths during such conversations so that your mentor can cater experiences just for you. It’s perfectly fine to express hesitation followed up with a willingness to learn something new and take on a challenge. You want to show your mentor you’re up for the challenge and you’re not afraid to be “stretched.”
It’s time to create a list of tasks that you and your mentor agree upon for the experience. Using 3 specific POWER OBJECTIVES that guide the Learning Through Internship Course you are required to set your 5 total goals within certain parameters.
The 3 POWER OBJECTIVES that should drive your goals are from the Perry Local Schools Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum for the Learning Through Internship Course. We will specifically be focused on Power Objectives #4,5,& 6 when writing our goals for the semester. Everyone's goals will be different but they will all be linked back to these objectives. First think on your own about possible goals you have for this internship experience and see if they fit under any of the listed Power Objectives. Then, a discussion with your mentor will need to take place where you share the power objectives with your mentor and gather the mentor's feedback about your ideas and allow the mentor to share his or her own ideas for your goals as related to the 3 Power Objectives.
The 3 Power Objectives you need to consider when writing the 5 required GOALS are as follows:
POWER OBJECTIVE #4: Develop an increased level of self-efficacy and solving real-world problems through thinking creatively and critically. (INTERN.4)
SUPPORTING INDICATORS
INTERN.4.a Demonstrate the ability to organize information as related to the new environment/workplace through their focused observations.
INTERN.4.b Creatively think and design the steps needed to solve problems related to personal growth and the new situations in their workplace. (Derived from the New York Career Development and Occupational Studies, Learning Standards for Career Development and Occupational Studies at Three Levels.)
INTERN.4.c Solve problems that call for applying academic knowledge and skills in order to increase a specific work place competency.
POWER OBJECTIVE #5: Learn and implement effective professional attitudes and behaviors. (INTERN.5)
SUPPORTING INDICATORS
INTERN.5.a Engage in professional workplace expectations, including, but not limited to: organizational culture, time-management, appropriate dress, and professional relationship boundaries.
INTERN.5.b Display professional communication through written, verbal, and non-verbal means in professional settings.
INTERN.5.c Arrive on time as scheduled to each appointment with mentor/business partner.
INTERN.5.d Successfully completes x2vol each week submitting hours to mentor prior verifying attendance.
POWER OBJECTIVE #6: Establish appropriate work place relationships with others through professional collaborative efforts while at the internships. (INTERN.6)
SUPPORTING INDICATORS
INTERN.6.a Recognize potential contacts who positively enhance one’s professional network.
INTERN.6.b Cultivate relationships with contacts through timely communications, a professional demeanor, and meaningful reciprocity.
Keep this weebly tab open and now click the link to the google doc where you will brainstorm your potential goals prior to sharing your thoughts with your mentor. You are being graded on how well you can adhere to the SMART Goals Guidelines. Click here for the rubric.
SMART Goals Guidelines are listed below:
SMART! - Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely
What is a Specific goal for my internship? A specific goal should clearly state what you want to accomplish, why it is an important goal, and how you intend to accomplish the goal.
What are the Measurable milestones you plan to reach in the process of achieving your goal? A measurable goal should include a plan with targets and milestones that you can use to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
What are the smaller, Attainable action steps that you plan to use to achieve my goal? An achievable goal should be realistic and include a plan that breaks your overall goal down into smaller, manageable action steps that use the time and resources available to you within the timeline you’ve set.
How is my goal Realistic? A realistic goal should make sense when implemented into your overall career development.
What is the specific Timeline for my goal? A timely goal is limited by a defined period of time and includes a specific timeline for each step of the process.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, intern.com has a list of possible goals that may be helpful to you and your mentor. When brainstorming your list of potential intern projects or responsibilities, use the list below as a jumping-off point.
Consider having an intern...
So, you just found out that you’ll be working for a specific company, you have met your assigned mentor, you have good feel for what they do at this business, but what will you be doing? How will you spend your time at this worksite? Taking the time to set some goals for the semester will be critical to getting the most out of this experience. You don’t want to have regrets.
It’s important that you have a conversation with your mentor about what your goals will look like. Every mentor is different and yours may have some ideas about how he or she wants the internship experience to go. You should have a voice in this process as well. Be sure to communicate your strengths during such conversations so that your mentor can cater experiences just for you. It’s perfectly fine to express hesitation followed up with a willingness to learn something new and take on a challenge. You want to show your mentor you’re up for the challenge and you’re not afraid to be “stretched.”
It’s time to create a list of tasks that you and your mentor agree upon for the experience. Using 3 specific POWER OBJECTIVES that guide the Learning Through Internship Course you are required to set your 5 total goals within certain parameters.
The 3 POWER OBJECTIVES that should drive your goals are from the Perry Local Schools Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum for the Learning Through Internship Course. We will specifically be focused on Power Objectives #4,5,& 6 when writing our goals for the semester. Everyone's goals will be different but they will all be linked back to these objectives. First think on your own about possible goals you have for this internship experience and see if they fit under any of the listed Power Objectives. Then, a discussion with your mentor will need to take place where you share the power objectives with your mentor and gather the mentor's feedback about your ideas and allow the mentor to share his or her own ideas for your goals as related to the 3 Power Objectives.
The 3 Power Objectives you need to consider when writing the 5 required GOALS are as follows:
POWER OBJECTIVE #4: Develop an increased level of self-efficacy and solving real-world problems through thinking creatively and critically. (INTERN.4)
SUPPORTING INDICATORS
INTERN.4.a Demonstrate the ability to organize information as related to the new environment/workplace through their focused observations.
INTERN.4.b Creatively think and design the steps needed to solve problems related to personal growth and the new situations in their workplace. (Derived from the New York Career Development and Occupational Studies, Learning Standards for Career Development and Occupational Studies at Three Levels.)
INTERN.4.c Solve problems that call for applying academic knowledge and skills in order to increase a specific work place competency.
POWER OBJECTIVE #5: Learn and implement effective professional attitudes and behaviors. (INTERN.5)
SUPPORTING INDICATORS
INTERN.5.a Engage in professional workplace expectations, including, but not limited to: organizational culture, time-management, appropriate dress, and professional relationship boundaries.
INTERN.5.b Display professional communication through written, verbal, and non-verbal means in professional settings.
INTERN.5.c Arrive on time as scheduled to each appointment with mentor/business partner.
INTERN.5.d Successfully completes x2vol each week submitting hours to mentor prior verifying attendance.
POWER OBJECTIVE #6: Establish appropriate work place relationships with others through professional collaborative efforts while at the internships. (INTERN.6)
SUPPORTING INDICATORS
INTERN.6.a Recognize potential contacts who positively enhance one’s professional network.
INTERN.6.b Cultivate relationships with contacts through timely communications, a professional demeanor, and meaningful reciprocity.
Keep this weebly tab open and now click the link to the google doc where you will brainstorm your potential goals prior to sharing your thoughts with your mentor. You are being graded on how well you can adhere to the SMART Goals Guidelines. Click here for the rubric.
SMART Goals Guidelines are listed below:
SMART! - Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely
What is a Specific goal for my internship? A specific goal should clearly state what you want to accomplish, why it is an important goal, and how you intend to accomplish the goal.
What are the Measurable milestones you plan to reach in the process of achieving your goal? A measurable goal should include a plan with targets and milestones that you can use to make sure you’re moving in the right direction.
What are the smaller, Attainable action steps that you plan to use to achieve my goal? An achievable goal should be realistic and include a plan that breaks your overall goal down into smaller, manageable action steps that use the time and resources available to you within the timeline you’ve set.
How is my goal Realistic? A realistic goal should make sense when implemented into your overall career development.
What is the specific Timeline for my goal? A timely goal is limited by a defined period of time and includes a specific timeline for each step of the process.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, intern.com has a list of possible goals that may be helpful to you and your mentor. When brainstorming your list of potential intern projects or responsibilities, use the list below as a jumping-off point.
Consider having an intern...
- Research the viability of a new program, campaign, or initiative; compile and present statistics.
- Complete a backburner project that has been bogging down permanent staff.
- Create a proposal on a potential social media strategy, evaluate various social media platforms, or come up with suggestions for how your current social media strategy might be improved.
- Critique your company's website...from a user perspective; brainstorm ideas for boosting usability.
- Propose solutions for a mid-level problem that no one has had time to address.
- Research and identify the most influential blogs in your industry. Follow them and provide weekly reports.
- Scan industry media for news items; provide regularly scheduled updates.
- Accompany employees to client, sales, or other outside meetings; have them take an observer role, but ask for their input and ideas (and answer any questions) after you've left.
- Evaluate some area of IT functionality (for tech-savvy interns); ask if they see a way to improve efficiency, streamline programs, or cut costs.
- Take responsibility for some regular task. Even if it's as simple as taking, and placing, the weekly supply order, it will demonstrate follow-through and an ability to take ownership.
- Prepare a budget.
- Create support materials, such as charts, graphs, or other visuals.
- Plan and coordinate an event or meeting.
- Generate a marketing plan, financial forecast, or other report.
- Produce a video or slide presentation.
- Perform a study or survey; analyze and present results.
- Write internal communications.
- Compile employee manuals or develop process directions for tasks with high employee turnover.
- Source goods or search for lower-cost sources for high-volume materials.
- Clean up a database.
- Serve as a liaison between the company and clients or vendors (freeing up staff members to communicate on only more crucial issues).
- Aid in the modification or enhancement of your internship program.
- Help screen and train replacement interns prior to departure.