As you are probably inferring from the picture, this blogpost is about an internship at a car manufacturer, precisely…the car manufacturer (sorry Tesla). More than a month ago, I jumped into the driver’s seat and started interning at the department for corporate communication and –strategy at Mercedes-Benz.
The company
As part of the Fortune 500 Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz is one of the largest manufacturers of premium cars, counting over 175,000 employees in 40 countries worldwide. The company focuses on the development, production, and sales of passenger cars, vans, and services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be leading in the fields of connectivity, automated driving, and alternative technologies with its forward-looking innovations. The product portfolio comprises the Mercedes-Benz brand with its sub-brands such as Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, Smart, or EQ.
My role
During my internship, I am working closely with the company’s in-house consultants for corporate communication, strategy, and innovation. On a daily basis, I am assisting in the management of projects and the development of strategic interventions for process improvements. Moreover, I am assigned various tasks such as data analyses, preparing and giving presentations, conducting workshops, or reporting. Since the start of my internship, I was also encouraged to “go, do some networking”. Clueless of what this means, I started doing some research and gathering some networking hacks, for you to read below.
How to master your internship networking
#1 Know where to network: Does your company offer mentorship programs or regulars’ tables; are there any career fairs or after-work events in town? Many company’s also offer networking opportunities in form of one-on-one business lunches, where interns get the chance to meet executives to ask their questions and make an impression. No matter what it is, make sure to keep track of these events, schedule them accordingly, and use the opportunity to advance your career in a more casual setting.
#2 Study the art of networking: Can networking be crucial to grow your career? Absolutely. Is it easy to do it right? Not so much. So research and learn as much about networking data, advice, and how-tos as you possibly can. For newbies read the networking bible the start-up of YOU, watch the TED Talk by Lisa Green Chau (if you are an introvert like me), and follow interesting personalities on LinkedIn for content inspiration.
#3 Be confident: Sounds obvious? Maybe, but unfortunately, most interns are too humble when it comes to highlighting their skills, experiences, and achievements while networking. Here is the ugly truth: actively promoting yourself is tough and may even feel super odd but research shows it is a crucial step to be remembered. So be bold.
#4 Practice active listening: And yet, it’s easy to think successful networking is only about telling you story and dominating the conversation in order to make an impression. But to leave an impression, it is important to listen more than you talk. The thing is: active listening is actually quite hard. When someone is talking, are you already thinking about what to say next in order to keep the conversation going or are you truly processing the conversation? If it is not the latter you are likely not forming a meaningful connection. So practice active listening with your family or friends over easy topics and improve based on their feedback.
#5 Connect and stay connected: Do not underestimate following up on the conversations. Meeting someone new is the first step but solidifying the connection for the future is the real art. So make sure to create a detailed and up-to-date LinkedIn page to show presence, impress as a thought leader, and immediately add new acquaintances.