Top 3 Mistakes Interns Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Internships can be a game-changer — they open doors, build skills, and help you figure out what you actually want to do post-grad. But even the most promising intern can fumble if they’re not aware of a few common missteps. The good news? These mistakes are super easy to avoid once you know what to look out for. Here’s how to level up your internship game and leave a lasting impression (in a good way).

1️⃣ Not Linking Things for Feedback
Picture this: You’re sending your manager a draft or update. You type out a quick message, maybe paste the text or mention it’s “in the doc,” and hit send. But you forgot one thing — the link. Now they’re left digging through Slack or old emails trying to find what you’re referencing.

Don’t make them work harder than they need to. Hyperlink everything. Google Docs, Notion pages, assets — if you’re asking for feedback, make it one-click easy. It shows you’re organized, thoughtful, and on top of it. Your future self (and your boss) will thank you.

2️⃣ Not Keeping a Record of Your Highlights
Internships go by fast. One day you’re setting up your email account, the next you’re wrapping up your final presentation. And if you’re not tracking your wins along the way, they can slip through the cracks.

Start a simple “Internship Wins” doc from Day 1. Note what you worked on, what results you helped drive, and any cool shoutouts you got. This becomes your cheat sheet for resume updates, LinkedIn posts, and future interviews. Bonus: it’s a major confidence boost to see everything you’ve accomplished in one place.

3️⃣ Forgetting to Ask for a LinkedIn Rec or Reference
You crushed the internship. Your team loved you. But you never asked for a LinkedIn recommendation… and now it’s six months later and your manager is at a new company, or you’ve lost touch.

Don’t wait until the last day to bring it up. A week or two before your internship ends, ask if your manager (or a teammate you worked closely with) would be open to writing a quick LinkedIn rec or serving as a reference for future roles. You can even draft a few bullet points to make it easier for them. And pro tip: Keep a doc with all your recs and references for easy access.

Final Thoughts
An internship is your chance to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections — but small things can make a big difference. By staying organized, documenting your impact, and thinking a step ahead, you’ll not only stand out now, but set yourself up for long-term success. So link your docs, track your wins, and ask for that rec! Your future career will thank you.