13 Examples of SMART Goals for Internship Success

Do you want to create practical goals to succeed in your internship? Then you’ll want to set SMART goals.

From building your network to improving communication among team members, using the SMART framework will lay the groundwork for a successful career after completing your internship role.

Since an internship is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable real-world skills and experience, it would be a waste not to take advantage of it.

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What is a SMART Goal?

As you begin your internship, consider creating SMART goals for yourself. SMART is an acronym that stands for: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based.

Missing even one of these criteria would drastically lower your chances of achieving your dreams. That wouldn’t be ideal, so make sure every one of your goals is SMART. You’ll be doing everything necessary to succeed in all areas.

13 Examples of SMART Goals for Your Internship

Let’s dive into a few examples of SMART goals to set during your internship:

1. Improve Your Writing Skills

SMART Goal: I want to improve my writing skills to create more compelling and interesting reports within the next three weeks. I will read one book on writing techniques weekly and practice writing for 30 minutes daily.

2. Deepen Understanding of the Company’s Mission

SMART Goal: Over the two weeks, I will deepen my understanding of the company’s mission and values. I’ll do this by attending the weekly staff meeting, reading the company’s blog, and speaking with my supervisor about the company’s mission and values.

3. Increase Your Industry Knowledge

SMART Goal: I want to spend four hours per week reading industry-related articles, attending relevant conferences and webinars, and networking with professionals in my field. After three months, I should be able to list three new trends in my industry and explain how they may affect my company.

4. Expand Your Network of Contacts

networking

SMART Goal: To expand my network of contacts, I want to attend one company event every three weeks for two months. At each event, I’ll speak with at least three people. I will exchange business cards with each person and follow up with them days later.

5. Develop Research Skills

SMART Goal: I’ll aim to develop my research skills by completing an online course on research methods and reading 5 books on the subject by next month. Moreover, I’ll put my research skills into practice by working on three research projects during my internship.

6. Manage Time More Efficiently

SMART Goal: I want to be able to take on more projects without feeling overwhelmed, so I’ll start using a time management technique called the Pomodoro technique. For three months, I’ll work for 25 minutes on a task, then take a 5-minute break. After four pomodoros, I’ll take a longer break.

time management skills

7. Become a Better Presenter

SMART Goal: I want to work on my presentation skills by giving at least one presentation per week during my four-month internship. After each presentation, I’ll also ask for feedback from my manager and colleagues.

8. Learn About the Company’s Products and Services

SMART Goal: In the next two weeks, I want to learn about all the products and services my company offers to be more effective in my role. I will do this by reading our company’s product and service manuals and talking to customer service representatives.

9. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

SMART Goal: I’ll strive to get out of my comfort zone by talking to at least one new person every day within three weeks. I’ll do this by introducing myself to someone new at lunch, joining a club or group, or attending events.

10. Gain Experience Working on a Team

SMART Goal: Over the course of four months, I will work on at least three team projects, including leading one project, to increase my experience collaborating with others and working toward a common mission.

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11. Take on Additional Responsibilities

SMART Goal: Starting today until one month later, I hope to take on additional work responsibilities to develop my skills and knowledge. I will speak to my supervisor about taking on more tasks and volunteering for new projects.

12. Be Proactive and Contribute New Ideas

SMART Goal: I will contribute at least one new idea in every team meeting for two months. I’ll prepare for meetings by brainstorming beforehand and coming up with at least three potential ideas. I will try to speak up and share my ideas even if I’m not sure they are fully developed yet.

13. Keep a Positive Attitude

SMART Goal: I’ll strive to keep a positive attitude throughout my internship. I will try to be friendly and helpful, even if I feel stressed. If I feel overwhelmed, I will take a break and talk to my supervisor if I have any concerns.

Final Thoughts

Developing SMART goals is crucial for internship success. They encourage you to grow professionally and make the most of your internship experience.

The listed examples of SMART goals will inspire you to make successful progress; you’re less likely to lose motivation early on.

And remember, your internship is what you make of it. If you want to learn and grow, create some SMART goals to serve as a guiding light.

Rei is the founder of Success in Depth. He is passionate about self-improvement and brings years of experience in goal setting to empower readers to reach their aspirations. He has been featured on sites like Yahoo News, AOL, The Epoch Times, and more.