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?

Here’s an example email we would send to clarify the project from a new employer:

Hi [Employer's Name],

I'm excited to begin work with [Company Name] on [Date]!

Before we start working together, I'd like to better understand what you're looking for and the scope of work involved. If Zoom works best, let me know your availability, and I'll set up a meeting.

Otherwise, please clarify the points below.

  • What are your overarching goals for this project?

  • Do you envision a timeline?

  • Do you have any examples of similar past work to share or work you are inspired by?

Here’s a bit more about how I work:

  • I take [number of days] to finish a first draft on average.

  • I prefer using Zoom and email to communicate but I am flexible to use whatever you are comfortable with.

Thank you, and I look forward to connecting!

[Your Name]

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.

Here’s an example message we would send if we felt that we needed further clarification on the changes being made to the project we were tasked with:

Hi [Employer],

I hope you're doing well this week! I've noticed some changes to the scope of the project I've been tasked with for this internship and want to ensure the work I'm doing is aligned. Can you hop on a quick call today or tomorrow to clarify these details?

Best,

[Your Name]

Post Internship

After the project, It’s important to thank your employers and ask for any feedback they may have.

Here’s an example email we would send at the end of a project:

Hi [Employer],

It was a pleasure working with you on [project]. I appreciated your responsiveness and quick communication, and I hope you’re as proud of the finished product as I am.

Please let me know if you have any feedback on how I can improve in future collaborations.

I look forward to staying in touch with you in the future,

[Your Name]

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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