Ask a Recruiter: From Internship to What’s Next

You've closed out the summer – now make the most of what comes after.

By Emma See, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

The final weeks of an internship come faster than you would expect. You’re wrapping up projects, saying your thank-yous, handing back your access card, and suddenly wondering what happens next. Whether you're hoping for a return offer, heading back to school, or planning to apply for full-time roles, how you close out your internship matters just as much as how you started it.

Here's how to finish strong, protect the relationships you built, and set yourself up for what's next.

Close the Loop Before You Leave

The transition out of an internship is just as important as the work you did during it. Don't let your last week disappear into clean-out tasks and farewell lunches.

• Wrap up your work. Document what you did, where files live, and what's still in progress. Make it easy for whoever picks up after you. That's the kind of professionalism people remember.

• Have a closing conversation with your manager. Ask what stood out, where you grew, and suggestions on what to focus on next. Ask directly: "Would you hire me back, and if so, what would you want to see from me between now and then?"

• Thank the people who helped you along the way. Send a handwritten note or email to your manager, the intern coordinator, your mentor, and those who helped you along the way.

• Ask for a recommendation. A written recommendation or a LinkedIn recommendation from a manager or mentor is one of the most valuable things you can leave with. Ask before your last day, while the experience is top of mind.

Recruiter tip: The question I wish more interns would ask their manager on the way out is the direct one: "Would you hire me back?" I know it feels bold, but in my experience, managers respect the candor. Even if the answer is "not yet," you'll walk away knowing exactly what to work on.

Turn the Summer into Your Story

Everything you did this summer is raw material. Your job now is to shape it into something you can use on a resume, on your LinkedIn profile, in an interview, or in a networking conversation.

• Update your resume. Don't wait until you're applying for something. Add your role, projects, and quantifiable wins while the details are fresh.

• Refresh your LinkedIn. Add the internship, list your key accomplishments, and consider a short post reflecting on what you learned. Recruiters notice.

• Share your experience. If you enjoyed your internship experience, make sure to share it with others. You ultimately serve as a brand ambassador moving forward.

Recruiter tip: Think of your resume as a story, not a checklist. What problems did you help solve? What results came from your contributions? What did you learn, and how does it shape what you want next? Add key projects, tools used, skills developed, and moments you’re proud of.

Use the Gap Intentionally

Whatever comes between your internship and your next chapter – a semester, a few months, a job search – is not dead time. It's the time when you turn experience into direction.

• Notice what energized you. This includes not just what you were good at, but what you actually looked forward to. Those are different things, and the second one is the better signal for what to do next.

• Fill the gaps you found. If the summer revealed a skill you wished you had, this is the time to learn it, while the motivation is strong.

• Don't disappear from the industry. Read newsletters, follow companies, and keep a running list of teams and roles that interest you. When the next opportunity opens, you want to be the person who already understands the landscape.

Recruiter tip: The candidates who stand out to me aren't the ones who filled every gap with another line on their resume – they're the ones who used the time to get sharper about who they are and what they want.

Stay Connected the Right Way

The end of your internship isn't the end of the relationship. It's the start of your professional network. But staying in touch takes intention.

• Connect on LinkedIn before your last day. Send personalized notes to the people you worked closely with. Reference something specific you appreciated.

• Prioritize the hiring managers. Your day-to-day teammates matter, but it's hiring managers who make return-offer decisions and have the clearest visibility into upcoming headcount. Before you leave, make sure you’ve spoken with the hiring manager.

• Reach out periodically, not just when you need something. Send a quick note when you see someone's promotion, a new product launch, or a company milestone.

Recruiter tip: If a return offer isn't in the cards this year, don't disappear. Stay in touch a couple of times a year. The internship may end in August, but the relationships don’t have to. Some of the strongest full-time candidates I see are former interns who stayed connected.

An internship isn’t just a line on your resume. It’s proof that you’ve done the work, contributed value, and shown up. Finish the work. Thank the people who helped you get here. Take the time to figure out where you're headed next. And stay in touch along the way. Wherever your next chapter takes you, we're cheering you on.