How to Leave Your Internship With Grace

College students and post grads often take internships to get experience or their foot in the door of a company they want to work at. Most internships have a start date and finish date, regardless if you are there for class credit or simply experience.

How do you leave while ensuring you keep these amazing contacts you worked so hard to impress? Here are some tips:

1. If you enjoyed your internship, do check to see if they are hiring for part-time or full-time positions. Many times internships can lead to a regular job at a company if you really impressed them with your hard work. Make sure you let them know you are interested in working there and take contact information from co-workers and bosses.
2. If you hated your internship and can't wait to get out of there, don't burn any bridges. Leaving unprofessionally or mouthing off could hurt you in the future. Perhaps one of your bosses or co-workers will give you a great recommendation that will help you land a job at another company or someone from their network could help you find work. Always be professional, even if the people you are working for aren't being very professional themselves.
3. Ask for a recommendation letter from your boss/supervisor/manager. These letters are often crucial in helping you get a job. Also ask if they will be a reference for you.
4. Keep in touch. Once you're all finished with your internship, send a quick note or email thanking them again for giving you the opportunity and how much you appreciate the learning experience. Check in every few months so they don't forget you if you have them as a reference or hope to find a job based on the network you created there.