Picture this: after all your hard work, you’ve landed an internship at Cox. That new employee badge is a ticket to not just a few months of real-world experience, but potentially the first chapter of a rewarding career.
But as with everything else in life, your experience is what you make of it. So, how do you make sure that when you look back on this internship, it’s not just a bullet point on your resume, but a turning point in your professional journey?
Kevin Scott and Olivia Smith, who work with early career talent at Cox, share their top tips so you can make the most of your internship experience and set yourself up for a successful future at Cox.
1. Show initiative — but don’t be afraid to ask questions.
One of the most common misconceptions among interns is that they’re expected to know exactly what they’re doing from day one. It’s OK if you don’t understand how your job works or how to complete an assigned project. You’re expected to have questions about your work — that’s part of learning — but you can also take the opportunity to showcase your creativity and critical thinking skills.
Kevin, who is an early talent recruiting manager at Cox, explained that leaders appreciate when interns take the time to research and consider how they’d approach a task at hand instead of just asking for all the answers.
“The interns who stand out to managers are the ones who say, ‘This is kind of what I’m thinking. Am I going in the right direction? Or can you help guide me?’” Kevin said.
2. Find ways to build community while you’re here.
You’ll have a group of interns you can count on throughout your time at Cox. And sometimes, it may feel easier to turn to one of your peers for help.
“Find someone whom you could be a little bit more comfortable asking certain questions,” said Olivia, who is the program and partnerships manager for early talent at Cox.
There are plenty of opportunities to get to know your fellow interns and make lasting connections. In addition to Cox events and mixers, the Metro Atlanta Chamber hosts “Interns After 5,” an event series that brings together students interning at Atlanta’s leading companies.
“Basically, all interns in Atlanta go to these different [after hours] events around the city,” Olivia said.
3. Make use of Cox’s networking and mentorship opportunities.
Even if you’re not a social butterfly, you’ll have opportunities to help break the ice and build your network at Cox. One of the first programs interns sign up for when they come to Cox is a program to get matched with a mentor. Interns are also invited to participate in Cox’s RandomCoffee program, which pairs people up for a coffee chat (virtual or IRL) on a monthly basis.
“You don’t have to reach out to anyone to get connected — you’re automatically matched,” Olivia said.
5. Set goals for yourself to track your growth and progress.
Cox emphasizes empowering growth and development — whether you’re here on a full-time basis or just for a season.
Interns are encouraged to think about professional and personal goals they’d like to achieve. This can be a mix of hard skills — learning a new tool or coding language — and soft skills, like overcoming a fear of public speaking.
“It gives the interns a North Star, and then they can look back or keep track on that throughout their internship,” Kevin said.
6. Prepare to shine in the spotlight.
Cox interns wrap up their internship with a showcase, where they can present what they’ve accomplished and the impact their work has had during their time with us.
“We invite the entire organization because we literally want everyone to come see what the interns are doing,” Olivia said. “It’s an opportunity for interns to sell themselves as a future employee at Cox, but it’s also a time to celebrate everything they’ve done and be proud.”
7. Stay in touch on social and through the Cox talent community.
You’ve heard the advice to connect with everyone on LinkedIn. But how do you keep those connections strong after your internship? Stay engaged on LinkedIn, even if it’s just by reading and reacting to posts on your feed.
“The more active you are on LinkedIn, the more you’re on someone’s feed,” Olivia said. “So, if someone has a role coming up, you’ll be top of mind.”
Also make sure you sign up for the Cox Talent Community, where you can receive email updates on future job opportunities at Cox.
“That’s a big way to know what’s going,” Olivia said.
Remember that the experiences you gain and the connections you build here are the stepping stones to your future success. Your internship can be more than just a chapter at Cox — it can be the beginning of an incredible story.
