I joined Source Allies in May of 2023 as the Teammate Services Apprentice. This allowed me to learn from many different branches of the business in order to get the most out of my apprenticeship. I learned from recruiting, business development, account management, human resources, and marketing! My role was mainly focused on marketing and human resources where I was very hands-on.

I would like to share with you some advice for your internship/apprenticeship so you can get the most out of your experience.

Don’t be Afraid to Fail

Starting something new is scary, but no one expects you to be perfect when starting an internship. You are there to gain experience, so try something you have never done and grow from it. Mistakes are only mistakes when you do not learn from them.

Ask for Feedback

Sometimes we forget that we can encourage feedback. Previously, I avoided feedback because I was afraid of the confrontation. However, feedback is some of the best learning and growth you can provide for yourself.

I am usually more of a listener and have been put on so many teams that I struggled to find my place when I started my apprenticeship. So, I asked a teammate their thoughts on where I can help and become better. She gave me tons of advice from her perspective, and I now know which topics I need to speak up on and that people want to hear from me rather than just listen. Listening is one of my greatest strengths but I am continuing to work on providing my own insights along with listening.

We all have our individual views of ourselves, but we will never know the impact we can make unless we learn about ourselves from others. This is a huge plus through working with so many different people. They may all see you in different situations and you can learn from their views of you.

Utilize Your Teammates

Your teammates want to help you, so get to know them and secure those valuable connections. Plus, if you get to know someone on a personal level, it makes it easier to ask questions/advice. People are valuable resources; who knows, you may be able to help them with something as well!

Think Big Picture

Think about everything you are doing now and how it is helping you reach your goals. Whether that is something small or big, think about your “why.” I think about my “why” in terms of my motivation. What keeps you going when things get tough and what pushes you to become the better version of yourself?

Tackle a New Challenge

Even if you do not know where to start, try facing a new challenge. This goes hand in hand with not being afraid to fail. Try new things and use it as a learning opportunity to grow your expertise. My advice when tackling a new challenge is to research as much as you can about the topic. Once you have a general understanding, it is easier to ask questions and know where to take off.

I hope this provides some insight into an intern experience and how you can make the most of it! Every experience no matter how big or small at the beginning of your career is valuable, so be grateful for all of the opportunities.

If you have enjoyed hearing about Kamryn’s experiences and think Source Allies may be a good fit for you, please do not hesitate to apply!