10 Ways To Make the Most of Your Internship Experience in the Startup Nation
Tips by Alan Weinkrantz, Brand Ambassador to Israel, Rackspace Startups
Happy summer of 2015. You are about to embark upon one of the greatest experiences of your life — the summer internship.
Not just any internship, but an internship at a startup in Israel.
It just happens to be one of the most exciting and cool places to live, work and play in the world.
This is your chance to learn. Grow. Stretch. Contribute.
It’s a chance to do meaningful work. And something that matters.
And yes, have a bit of fun.
Here’s some helpful tips that I hope will make your summer experience at in the startup community in Israel the best ever:
1. Start now.
Don’t wait until you get here to get going.
By all means, finish your finals.
Celebrate the end of school year.
Or maybe you’re graduating.
That’s awesome.
Congrats.
Get a jump start on your internship and start now.
2. Get to know your teams.
Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and LinkedIn.
Follow and engage.
See what they are up to, what they are doing at work, and where they go for fun.
It’s a great way to crack the ice and get to know your team members
3. Connect in real time.
Schedule a call on Skype and meet face-to-face.
Show you’re ready to learn, engage, and contribute.
Ask what you can to to get ready.
What can you read up on?
Get smart now so you can hit the ground running once you arrive.
4. Set your goals.
What do you want to learn?
How can you contribute?
How can this job experience look great, and rock your resume?
Don’t just do this in your head.
Commit to paper (or your smart phone)….
Write it down.
5. Start a blog.
Build a body of work.
Put your experience down on paper (so to speak).
It will be a great addition to your resume, and you’ll be able to look on this experience and see how you grow over the course of your time in Israel.
6. Give yourself time to adjust.
This is not about jet lag.
It’s about realizing that you’ve just left school, your friends and family behind you.
Not to worry; they are still there and will still be there when you return.
But still. Give yourself time to adjust once you arrive.
Come with an open mind, listen, and take it all in.
7. Leave a trail of digital breadcrumbs.
This is not just having a job.
It’s about contributing and doing great work.
And in doing so, you can show the world what you did and your contribution to the startup(s) you worked on.
8. Think about how you can help work ahead. Make a continued impact even after you leave.
This is especially true if you are writing content for your startup team.
Think about what you can do to have a body of work that can be published into the future.
Imagine your being back at home in October, November and December and seeing your contributions from the summer come to life.
9. Build a playlist.
What’s your favorite music?
What can you do tho share what you are listening to these days and what can you bring to share with your team?
Music is a language we all understand and love.
So come on… show your team what moves you.
And move your team.
10. Have some fun.
OK… maybe a whole lot of fun.
You’re here to work and contribute, and you’re here to have fun.
No matter if you are in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa or Nazareth, there’s all kinds of cool and interesting things to do.
Ask your team members for help.
Work hard. Play hard. It’s part of the mix.
I’m with the Rackspace Startups program in Israel. My mission is to #BeHelpful.
If you need some help or guidance at the startup you are joining, reach out to me via email — alan@weinkrantz / 054–321–6176.
May you have the best summer and work / life experience ever.
Rock your resume in the Summer of 2015.
