Starting an internship is an exciting step in your professional journey, whether you’re interning abroad, remotely, or in-person – this is your chance to build real skills, gain confidence, and experience the workplace firsthand.
Now that you’ve worked with the Roots team to secure the right opportunity, there’s still one question almost every new intern has: How do you actually make the most of your internship?
It’s completely normal to feel nervous or unsure before starting an internship and -. many of the questions you may have are ones we hear from interns all the time. This blog will give you six simple, practical strategies to help you make the most of your internship experience, based on the real lessons we’ve seen from our interns.
Reach out to the Roots team for further guidance on internship preparations
1. Adopt the Right Mindset from Day One
The most important strategy for making the most of your internship experience begins before you even start your first task. Having the right mindset is what separates an average internship from a transformative one. So if you want to understand how to make the most of your internship, you need to begin here.
Commit to a Growth Mindset
Internships aren’t about knowing everything – they’re about being open to learning. A growth mindset helps you treat challenges as opportunities, step into various tasks, and try new things. You’re not expected to be perfect, just curious and willing to learn. And in a nonprofit setting, that mindset is especially valuable because you’re contributing to real impact.
Be Curious and Ask Questions
Many interns hesitate to ask questions because they don’t want to seem unprepared, but asking for clarity is actually a sign of initiative and engagement. Simple questions about a project’s purpose or how it fits into organizational goals help you learn faster. Curiosity and communication are key if you want to make the most of your internship experience.
Stay Positive and Flexible
Internships are real-world environments, and things won’t always go to plan – deadlines shift, tasks evolve, and workplaces vary. Staying positive and adaptable allows your internship to grow with you, and small tasks often lead to bigger opportunities. Flexibility is one of the most practical ways to make the most of your internship experience because it creates space for new challenges and real growth.
2. Build Strong Relationships With the People Around You
One of the easiest and most overlooked ways to make the most of your internship is by building strong relationships. Skills matter, but people matter just as much. Internships are a chance to build your network, form friendships, and connect with people who can support your professional growth.
Connect with Your Supervisors and Mentors
Your supervisors and mentors want to help you succeed, so be proactive about communication and schedule regular check-ins. These conversations can improve your performance, help you overcome challenges, give you insight into career options, and even introduce you to new opportunities. If you need clarity or guidance, don’t hesitate to speak up- one of the best questions you can ask is: “What advice would you give to someone who wants to make the most of their time here?” You might gain insight that shapes your entire internship experience!
Network with Colleagues and Fellow Interns
Your colleagues and fellow interns are some of the best people to learn from. They bring experience, skills, and different perspectives. They also make the workplace more fun and supportive. Ask about their roles, their journey, and their work.
When completing an internship abroad, this becomes even more valuable – your network becomes global and cross-cultural.
Build Meaningful Friendships
Internships are not just about your CV- they’re also about the personal experience. Joining group activities, spending time with the community, or exploring the local area can help you feel connected and confident, and these are some of the best ways to make the most of your internship experience. Roots internships especially encourage cultural immersion by offering placements with grassroots organization working directly with their communities on meaningful projects that create natural bonding moments. Friendships are a powerful element that keep you motivated, grounded, and excited throughout your internship.
3. Set Clear Goals – and Revisit Them Throughout Your Internship
Interns often finish their internships feeling like the experience rushed past them. One of the most effective ways to make the most of your internship is to be intentional from the start. And that means setting goals.
Define Professional and Personal Goals
Think about what you want to learn or achieve during your internship – whether that’s building specific skills, trying out a new field, gaining confidence in a professional setting, or contributing to a meaningful project. Setting intentional goals is one of the most effective ways to make the most of your internship experience. Writing your goals down before your first day gives you direction, and sharing these with your supervisor gives you the support you need to work toward them.
Break Goals into Weekly Actions
Big goals are achieved through manageable steps, so break them down into smaller actions. You can use to-do lists, weekly reviews, journal entries, or planning tools like Notion, Trello, or Google Calendar to stay organized. Taking things step-by-step keeps you motivated, focused, and aware of how much progress you’re making throughout your internship.
Track Your Progress
A reflection journal can be a powerful tool during your internship. Document the challenges you overcame, the responsibilities you took on, the skills you learned, and the tasks you enjoyed. This creates tangible evidence you can use later for your CV, resume, LinkedIn profile, and future interviews, while also giving you a clear picture of your progress. It becomes much easier to describe your achievements if you have documentation of what you worked on during your internship. This is one of the best ways to reflect on your development and understand how to make the most out of your internship experience.
Learn More about How to Put an Internship on your Resume
4. Take Initiative and Seek Out Opportunities
A top tip for making the most of your internship experience is straightforward: don’t wait for opportunities – create them.
Volunteer for Tasks (Big or Small)
Small tasks help you learn fast and build trust – they show initiative, interest, and a willingness to support the team. Whether you volunteer to assist with project research, social media content, community outreach, or workshop planning, these small contributions often lead to bigger responsibilities and new opportunities, and they’re one of the simplest ways to make the most of your internship experience.
Share Ideas and Contribute Creatively
Your perspective is valuable, and interns often bring fresh insights because they’re new and observant. If you see something worth improving – share it. If you have an idea – suggest it. If you want to be more involved – ask. Speaking up and contributing creatively is one of the most proactive ways to make the most of your internship experience.
Explore Beyond Your Job Description
Internships are flexible learning spaces, giving you the chance to shadow people in different roles, join internal meetings, attend workshops, and practice new skills. Taking advantage of these opportunities is one of the fastest ways to discover what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what direction you might want to pursue next.
Read more here to find out about the value and impacts of internships abroad
5. Immerse Yourself Fully in the Experience (Especially Abroad)
If you’re interning abroad, you’re not just joining a workplace – you’re stepping into a culture, a community, and a lifestyle. One of the best ways to make the most out of your internship is to explore beyond the office.
Engage with Local Culture
Every country offers a unique learning environment, so take the time to go beyond your workplace and explore your surroundings. Visit community spaces, attend cultural events, try local food, wander through markets, and spend time with people who live there. Learning a few phrases in the local language can open doors, build respect, and help you form deeper connections. These experiences help you build independence, cultural awareness, and global sensitivity, and they’re often the moments that stay with you long after your internship work placement ends. Embracing the destination you’re living in is one of the most rewarding ways to make the most of your internship experience and can lead to new friendships, insights, and personal growth.
Try New Activities and Say “Yes” More Often
If someone invites you somewhere, go. If there’s an opportunity to volunteer, explore, or join an activity, take it. Saying yes to new experiences is one of the easiest ways to make the most of your internship experience, because these moments open doors, help you build friendships, and make your overall journey unforgettable.
Document Your Internship Journey
Whether you’re journaling, taking photos, or creating a digital portfolio of your work, documenting your internship helps you capture your growth, your memories, and your professional achievements. It also makes your experience more meaningful and purposeful.
6. Navigate Challenges with Confidence
Every intern experiences challenges, and it’s a normal part of your learning curve. The important thing is how you respond, because overcoming obstacles is one of the key ways to make the most of your internship experience. These moments are especially powerful in nonprofit placements, where you see the real-world impact of your work and the community you’re supporting.
Overcome Imposter Syndrome
Most interns feel unsure at first. It doesn’t mean you don’t belong – Iit means you’re stretching yourself. Confidence comes from trying – not from being perfect.
Manage Homesickness or Stress
If you’re interning abroad, culture shock and homesickness happens. If you’re remote, you might struggle to stay motivated or connected. If you’re in-person, your workplace may feel new and unfamiliar. Build routines. Reach out for support. Stay connected.
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Handle Cultural and Communication Differences
Workplace culture varies across teams, organizations, and countries. Ask questions. Observe. Learn. Differences are opportunities – not obstacles.
Seek Support Early
Asking for guidance is one of the most professional things you can do. It shows awareness, care for your role, and willingness to grow. Roots and your internship host organization are always available to address your concerns and help you make the most of our internship experience!
How Roots Interns Helps You Make the Most of Your Internship Experience
At Roots, you work directly with grassroots nonprofits that focus on meaningful, long-term community development. That means your internship isn’t just professional growth—it’s contributing to real impact. Our grassroots internships are intentionally designed around cultural immersion, purpose-driven work, and genuine partnerships with local organizations, all of which help you make the most of your internship experience.
This includes structured advice on logistics, internship mentorship, regular support, real community projects, and a network of fellow interns. With responsible travel and partnerships with local organizations, Roots gives you the guidance and freedom to fully embrace your internship and make a meaningful impact.
If you want to see what it looks like when interns truly make the most of their internship experience, check out testimonials from previous Roots interns who have grown their skills, confidence, and global awareness through our internships.
Ready to take the next step and make the most of your internship experience?
The skills, connections, and personal growth you gain during this journey can shape your career and your future!Apply today to start your Roots internship and discover how to make the most of your internship while contributing to meaningful, purpose-driven work around the world.
Fill out an internship interest form today!
This blog was written by Faye Johnson
