As your internship nears its end in 2025, how you exit can shape your professional reputation and future opportunities. Career strategist Colleen Batchelder shares key steps to ensure you leave a lasting positive impression while maintaining valuable connections.
1. Reflect and Express Gratitude
Before departing, take time to reflect on your experience. Identify key skills gained, projects completed, and relationships built. Write a thoughtful thank-you note to your supervisor and team, highlighting specific contributions and lessons learned. For example, “Thank you for guiding me through the AI analytics project—it sharpened my data skills and taught me collaboration.” A 2025 LinkedIn survey shows 82% of hiring managers value gratitude, as it signals emotional intelligence.
2. Tie Up Loose Ends
Complete all assigned tasks and document your work clearly. Create a handover file summarizing your projects, key contacts, and pending items for your successor. Batchelder emphasizes, “Leaving organized deliverables shows you respect the team’s time.” If you’re unsure about unfinished tasks, check with your supervisor to prioritize or reassign them.
3. Request Feedback
Schedule an exit meeting with your manager to discuss your performance. Ask specific questions like, “What strengths did I demonstrate, and where can I improve?” A 2025 Glassdoor report notes 65% of interns who seek feedback are more likely to secure return offers. Be open to constructive criticism—it’s a chance to grow and shows you value self-improvement.
4. Stay Connected
Maintain ties with colleagues via LinkedIn or professional email. Personalize connection requests, referencing shared projects or moments, e.g., “It was great collaborating on the marketing campaign—let’s stay in touch!” Batchelder advises asking for a recommendation letter or LinkedIn endorsement while your work is fresh in their minds. X posts from recent interns highlight how such connections led to job referrals months later.
5. Exit Interview Etiquette
If offered an exit interview, approach it professionally. Share constructive feedback about the internship program, like suggesting more mentorship opportunities, but avoid negativity. Focus on positives, such as how the experience clarified your career goals. This builds goodwill and keeps doors open for future opportunities.
6. Plan Your Narrative
Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your internship achievements. Quantify results where possible, e.g., “Developed a chatbot that improved customer response time by 20%.” Practice explaining your role in interviews, framing challenges as learning opportunities. Batchelder notes that 70% of employers in a 2025 SHRM survey prioritize candidates who can articulate their internship impact.
Why It Matters
A graceful exit isn’t just polite—it’s strategic. A 2025 FlexJobs study found 55% of interns who left professionally were recommended for full-time roles or rehired. By showing gratitude, tying up loose ends, and staying connected, you position yourself as a memorable candidate in a competitive job market.
Final Tip
Leave with confidence, knowing your contributions mattered. As Batchelder puts it, “An internship is a stepping stone—how you exit sets the tone for your career’s next chapter.”