How to Ask for More Work at Your Internship and Make a Lasting Impression

Internships offer a unique window into the professional world, a chance to apply classroom knowledge, develop new skills, and build connections that can shape your future career.
However, the fleeting nature of these opportunities means that every moment counts.
To truly make the most of your internship, being proactive is not just beneficial—it’s essential.

Taking initiative demonstrates to employers that you are engaged, eager to learn, and possess a strong work ethic.¹
This proactive approach can lead to more meaningful assignments, greater learning opportunities, and ultimately, stronger recommendations and potential future job offers.³
Instead of passively waiting for tasks, a proactive attitude allows you to transform your internship into a valuable stepping stone towards your career aspirations.¹

Understand Your Current Role

The journey to becoming a proactive intern begins with thoroughly understanding your existing responsibilities and team needs.³
Before you approach your supervisor for more work, ensure you consistently perform your tasks to a high standard.³
Mastering these initial tasks builds confidence and shows readiness for more complex assignments.

Analyze completed tasks for deeper contributions, such as further research or follow-up analysis.⁸
Observe recurring team needs and ongoing projects that pique your interest.¹
Identify skills you wish to develop and align them with tasks that bridge any gaps in your expertise.¹

Communicating Your Interest

Once you’ve identified where you can contribute more, choose the right time to speak with your supervisor.⁸
Avoid interrupting urgent moments and instead schedule a brief meeting.¹
Frame your request positively, using phrases like “I’m eager to take on more” or “I’d like to develop my skills in…”.¹

Be specific about tasks or projects that interest you, showing you’ve given it thought.¹
Highlight your availability and capacity for additional responsibilities without compromising current work.¹
Offer solutions or suggest new initiatives where you see a genuine need.¹

Demonstrate Initiative and Problem-Solving

Taking initiative means seeking out needs and proposing solutions.⁸
Look for inefficiencies in current processes and suggest improvements.¹
Offer to create documentation, develop training materials, or lead team events.¹⁰

Learn new software or skills that benefit your team’s productivity or projects.¹
By identifying unmet needs and proposing thoughtful solutions, you showcase critical thinking and problem-solving skills.¹¹

Remote Internships Require Visibility

Proactive communication is critical in remote settings to ensure visibility and engagement.¹
Clearly share your schedule and availability via email or messaging platforms.¹
Offer assistance with virtual tasks like research, data entry, or coordinating online activities.¹

Suggest virtual coffee meetings to learn about colleagues’ projects and where you could help.¹
Contribute to online collaboration tools and project-management platforms used by your team.¹

Productive Use of Downtime

When you finish assigned work and have downtime, use it productively for learning and development.
Review company resources, documentation, or training materials to deepen your industry understanding.¹⁴
Engage in professional development by taking online courses, attending webinars, or exploring new software.¹

Schedule virtual coffee chats with colleagues in other departments to expand your internal network.¹
With your supervisor’s approval, check in with other team members to see if they need assistance.⁸

Build Professional Relationships

Proactivity also builds strong professional relationships during your internship.¹
Engage with colleagues, show genuine interest in their work, and offer your help.¹
Volunteering for even small tasks builds rapport, trust, and potential mentorship opportunities.¹

Expand your network beyond your immediate team by connecting with alumni or other professionals on LinkedIn.⁶

Be Mindful and Respectful

It’s natural to worry about appearing annoying or overly eager.⁸
Be mindful of how often you ask for more work and frame requests as offers to help.⁸
If immediate assignments aren’t available, offer to check back later, respecting your supervisor’s time.¹⁶

When you do ask, focus on the value you bring with additional responsibilities.⁹

Examples of Proactive Interns

Many interns have thrived by taking initiative during their internships.
For instance, Elizabeth Baker, during her editorial internship at Islands magazine, stayed extra hours and consistently asked for more to do.³
Her initiative led to writing an article for the magazine and taking on more responsibility.

Similarly, interns who identify inefficiencies or unmet needs and propose solutions often make a significant impact.
By demonstrating a proactive approach, interns can transform their experience into a period of substantial growth and accomplishment.

Conclusion

Your internship is your opportunity to shine.
By embracing a proactive mindset, you can shape your experience, gain invaluable skills, build lasting relationships, and leave a memorable positive impression.
Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—take the initiative, contribute your talents, and make your internship truly count.

Table: Phrases to Use When Asking for More Work

Table: Productive Activities for Downtime