How to Get a Return Offer
A non-exhaustive guide to making the most of your internship
Overview
- Before you start
- Onboarding
- Planning your project
- Getting feedback
- Hitting your stride
- Wrapping up
Before You Start
Gather Information
- List technologies you'll encounter
- Research company's tech stack
- Connect with your manager/mentor
Before You Start
Identify Gaps
- Focus on new languages/frameworks
- Target unfamiliar concepts
- Don't try to learn everything
Before You Start
Prepare
- Read core documentation
- Build small practice projects
- Research the domain
Onboarding: Day 1
- Meet your team and manager
- Set up development environment
- Learn company tools
- Take detailed notes
Onboarding: Week 1
- Explore the codebase
- Shadow an experienced teammate
- Submit a small change
- Schedule one-on-ones
Planning Your Project
Communication
- Regular check-ins with mentor
- Don't disappear for days
- Ask questions early
Planning Your Project
Alignment & Big Picture
- Define success criteria
- Understand stakeholder needs
- Know why your project matters
- Identify constraints
Planning Your Project
Break It Down
- Create manageable chunks
- Identify dependencies
- Get help with estimations
Planning Your Project
Document & Scope
- Record decisions and alternatives
- List open questions
- Be realistic about timelines
- Small and complete > large and unfinished
Getting Feedback
Be Proactive
- State your goals clearly
- Ask for feedback by week 2
- Weekly feedback check-ins
Getting Feedback
Ask Better Questions
- Be specific in your requests
- "How was my design presentation?"
- "Is there a better debugging approach?"
Getting Feedback
Handle Criticism Well
- Self-evaluate first
- Don't get defensive
- Thank people for honesty
- Ask for clarification
Getting Feedback
Apply Feedback Visibly
- Show you're listening
- Implement suggestions quickly
- Don't repeat mistakes
- Reference feedback in your work
Hitting Your Stride
Signs of Good Progress
- Solid project understanding
- Codebase familiarity
- Independent problem-solving
- Efficient workflow
Hitting Your Stride
Maintain Momentum
- Structure your day
- Minimize context switching
- Identify and resolve blockers
- Work on multiple tasks
Hitting Your Stride
Beyond Your Project
- Attend tech talks
- Explore other teams' work
- Build your network
- Use all available resources
Wrapping Up
Plan Your Transition
- Review status with manager (2-3 weeks before end)
- Prioritize remaining tasks
- Create handoff plan
Wrapping Up
Documentation
- Update design docs
- Create/update READMEs
- Document deployment process
- Prepare troubleshooting guides
Wrapping Up
Final Steps
- Deliver concise presentation
- Focus on business impact
- Highlight your learnings
- Request recommendations
Key Takeaways
- Communicate proactively
- Seek and apply feedback
- Break down complex work
- Document thoroughly
- End with a strong handoff
Thank You!
Questions?