Student Resources and Guides
Suggested resources and advice from our team.
Time Management
Time management is imperative to balancing school and work. We'll share tips on managing projects from start to finish.
It's important to understand the company's goals and expectations for the project before establishing a timeline so that you are both on the same page. It's helpful to list, estimate, and map out your internship project tasks when you start so that you have a clear idea of what needs to be done.
Once you have established what your employer wants and when they need it by, it's time to make your game plan.
First, when you get a project, create a to-do list with tasks. Labeling these as 'quick' or 'urgent' and ranking them by order of importance is helpful. You can organize your quick and urgent tasks into "sprints," with shorter deadlines. Then, create another list for larger projects, which you can call an "epic," currently in progress.
Estimate the effort or time it takes to complete each task so you can fit them into time blocks in your schedule. Estimations also clarify to your employer how you will execute each step within their timeframe. If you think unrealistic goals and timelines are being set, communicate your estimations and timeline with them proactively so you can prioritize what's most urgent and complete what's feasible. You want to avoid overpromising and under-delivering!
Employer Communication
Effective communication with your employer is important in building trust and delivering successful projects.
There are three important factors to consider when interacting with your employer:
The timing of your communication. To assure your employer of your progress, you need to communicate frequently. You don’t need to check in with them on every step, but regular meetings are important to gain feedback and make revisions. Discuss your availability to meet regularly at the start of the project, and give them a timeline of your work.
The medium you are communicating on. Set standards at the beginning of the project to determine what medium suits you both. Ask your company about their communication preferences.
What you are communicating. It’s important that you remain professional and concise in all your communications. Use the guide below on how to start certain conversations.
Pre-Internship
Before starting your project, ask some initial questions to understand the scope of work better and ensure you and your company are on the same page.
What are your overarching goals for this project?
What specific metrics can we use to measure success for this project?
What’s your deadline for this project?
What are your company’s goals and vision?
What is your preferred communication method?
During the Internship
Sometimes, the scope of work can become confusing or change mid-project. Discussing this with your employer is important to get back on track.
Post Internship
After the project, It’s important to thank your employers and ask for any feedback they may have.
Like any other skill, communication takes practice. Take note of your mistakes and client feedback - you won’t always get perfect communication.
Continuing Support
Folio is committed to ensuring that you have the best possible experience at your internship. Please refer to the chart below, for information on who to reach out to when questions arise.
Reach out for support!
Feel free to email us at support@folio.works.
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