5 Ways to Turn an Internship Into a Job

5 Ways to Turn an Internship Into a Job5 Ways to Turn an Internship Into a JobThis is my favorite challenge. Lets face it, whats the point of doing internships anyway?Yes, to get hands-on experience. But in the end, many college students are looking for that job offer.Internships are bedrngnis only beneficial for you to test-drive a career theyre beneficial for your employer to see what your skills really are on a more in-depth level than just an interview and resume. They get to see you in action.So how do you turn an internship into a job? Two words be irreplaceable.Make yourself worth something to the company. Add value to the position youre in, and youll be irreplaceable. If youre just stuck doing coffee runs and licking envelopes, they can find someone else to fill your shoes in two seconds. But, if youre bringing new ideas to the company or increasing their following on social media, youre giving yourself value as an employee.You know you have value when you leave your internsh ip to go back to school and the company feels that its missing something. What theyre missing, is you.Ive had quite a few interns with my company Headbands of Hope. Unfortunately, most of them were replaceableexcept for one.My first ever hire with my company was an intern that blew my socks off. She started as a campus representative at herbei school. Fast forward a couple months down the road, she was head of all the campus reps in the nation.Eventually, I stopped giving her tasks because she was so good at creating her own tasks that I didnt want to waste her efforts on things I could do myself. As an intern, she was my go-to person for events or any networking opportunities I couldnt make. She gained my trust to be the face of the company when I couldnt.Needless to say, she was hired immediately following her graduation. When an employer finds someone whos irreplaceable, they have a very hard time letting them just leave, whether theres a position available or not. Even if the co mpany isnt hiring at the time, theyll make room for someone who proves his or her value.Here are some steps to turn an internship into a job1. Arrive EarlyThis may seem simple, but being there before your boss walks in every day says a lot about your work ethic. Notice how I didnt say, Leave late. I dont think leaving late says as much as coming early. I appreciate employees who find efficient and effective ways to do their work and dont need to work into the night. Arrive early, and work efficiently.2. Dont Wait for TasksIf you wait for tasks to come to you, youll most likely get the stereotypical intern ones filling coffee, licking envelopes, or making cold calls. But, if youre proactive and create your own tasks, youll prove yourself as a real employee and your supervisors can see your value. If you take the initiative and put some great ideas together for say their annual fundraiser, your next task will probably not include making coffeeunless its coffee for you because of all t he professional tasks that were just handed to you.3. Speak Up In MeetingsI remember when I interned at NBCs TODAY Show in New York City, every once in a while theyd bring interns into their staff meetings. Everyone would go around the room and say an idea if they had one. Most interns were under the impression that these meetings were to observe how meetings work. However, those are the kind of interns that write down sandwich orders.When I spoke my ideas, a lot of them were shut down, just like other producers. But all it takes is that one idea that they run with. For me, it was a jupe paper scissors robot that predicted what youd throw and won every time. Who knew that was the pitch that theyd choose? No matter what business meeting youre in or what your profession, contribute in front of people in meetings. It shows that youre not afraid and youre prepared with ideas.4. Make Your Work MeasurableIts one thing to bring a positive attitude to work every day, but its another to have measurable success that can be seen by your supervisors. What will get you hired are increased sales through the clients you yourself worked with. Or increased likes on Facebook after you started doing their social media. Anything that you can measure to show your value to the company is huge because numbers dont lie.5. Make It Known You Want the JobLastly, make it known that you want the job. You wont be considered for the job if you dont seem like you want to work there. Request a meeting with your boss in the middle of your internship. Explain how much you believe in the company and what they do. Then, present measurable evidence of your work that youve done and express your interest in a position at the company post-graduation. If they say theyre not hiring or Well see, ask what steps you can take now to prepare yourself to come on full-time.Jessica Ekstrom is the founder of Headbands of Hope, a college leadership speaker and a graduate of North Carolina State University.