Energy flows where your focus goes. And what better way to call focus to
something, than by setting some intentional goals around it? In this
video I'm going to give you some examples of goals that you can set to
increase your chances of landing the internship. Now the specifics will be up
to you, and your individual situation, but I am here to give you the jump start
that you need. Hey there! I'm Jenna Rein from the internhustle.com, and this is
Initiative Muscle Monday -- helping you to start each week with an intentional step
toward a successful future. Let's do this! Now a few important tips regarding
goal-setting before we dive into the examples. Make your goals measurable.
Quantify them and give them a target date. I will show you what I mean by this
when we get into some of the examples. Write down your goals. I know this sounds
pretty basic, but getting things out of your head and onto paper is proven to
increase your chances of reaching your goal. Just take one of your college
lectures as an example... writing down notes in class, or transcribing them from
your textbook, makes it a lot more likely for you to recall that information than
if you just listen to it without writing anything down. There are numerous studies
on the positive impact of writing down your goals (just google it). So why
question it? Just do it and give yourself a running start. Share your goals with
people that you trust for accountability. If writing your goals down gives you a
running start, then sharing them helps you get across the finish line. Because
you're only human, and you are going to hit some challenges along the way that
distract you from your goals. But bringing someone that you trust into the loop
to help hold you accountable, that's going to help fire you back up the next
time that you slow down and lose focus of the finish line. Now for some examples.
Here are some goals that you might set for yourself when you're focused on
increasing your chances of landing the internship... Maybe you know that you need
to get an internship but you have no idea what type of internship you are
even interested in. A good goal for you to set would be around exploring
potential internship opportunities. Learn more and then narrow it
down from there. An example of a measurable goal could be: Attend three
networking events by the end of fall semester in order to learn more about
new internship opportunities. The goal is measurable because you are giving
yourself a specific number of events to attend (3) and a target date to complete it
by (the end of your fall semester). Now that you have the goal written out you
can actually start searching for specific networking opportunities
between now and your goal completion date. Is there a career fair that you can
attend? Perhaps a student and alumni mixer that's put on by your department?
You know that you need to find three events to attend in order to hit your
goal, so just start researching and registering for them and then get them
on your calendar so that you make sure that they all happen. Let's say that you
already know what type of internship you want to apply for. Your biggest focus at
this point is just getting your applications submitted. A great goal for
you could be: Apply for seven internships by March 1st. Again the goal is
measurable because you have a specific number of
internship applications to complete (seven) and a target date to complete
it by (March 1st). So with your goal written down you can now do your research to
find seven internships in your area of interest
that have open applications between now and March 1st. And then you're going to
add all of those application due dates to your calendar so that you don't miss
one by accident, and start working backwards to plan out when you're gonna
get these applications done. And then there are those times that you just get
in your own way and keep making up excuses about why an internship is not a
good idea for you this year. These limiting beliefs hold you back, and they
keep you from pursuing internships altogether. Maybe you're concerned
because the internship that you really want is unpaid and you don't have enough
money to support your cost of living through an unpaid internship. Well, I say
instead of just worrying about it, do something about it.
A potential goal to set could be: Save an extra $200 per month for
the next six months to cover cost of living expenses during an unpaid
internship. You may be wondering "where's that extra $200 gonna
come from?" If you know that it's a priority, and you
set it as a goal, you now can find a way to achieve it.
Get a part-time job for
the next six months, or use a skill that you have to do some freelance work, or
maybe just look at ways that you can cut back on your spending for a bit. So
instead of buying textbooks for every class, determine which ones you're not
going to need that much and just go to the library for those. Or maybe you can cut
back on lattes and beer a bit. Giving yourself a specific savings target is
going to help you look for ways that you can save, and before you know it you're
going to be in a position to help support yourself through that unpaid internship.
Just remember, energy flows where your focus goes. This video is part one of a
three-part internship goals series and is all about helping you land the
internship. I'll be back next week with a video on how you can set goals to help
you succeed at your internship. In the meantime if you found this video helpful,
please show it some love by giving it a like and sharing it with a friend or two.
And make sure to hit that subscribe button while you're here so that you're
notified when the next video in this internship goals series goes live.