Most students think their internship starts on day one of onboarding.
It doesn't.
It starts RIGHT NOW in how you're preparing, what you're prioritizing, and how intentional you're being about the opportunity in front of you.
If your 2026 internship starts in the next few weeks, this brief was written specifically for you.
Internships are no longer just something to do with your summer.
For a lot of young people, this is one of the first real chances to build a professional network, gain tangible work experience, collect proof, and put yourself in a stronger position for future success.
This moment is big, real BIG and I get that.
So before day one of the new job gets here, this is what my 15+ years of experience would advise you to think through.
#1 - Get grounded in what the company ACTUALLY does
Beyond the surface level, spend 3–5 hours doing deep research to understand the product(s), the customer(s), and the problem the company solves. You don't need to walk in like you know it all. But you should be able to explain clearly what they do and why it matters. That context will help everything else make sense faster as you ramp up.
#2 - Tighten up your INTRO
As the new person on the block, you know you're going to introduce yourself a lot in the first week or so. Don't wait until the moment comes to figure out what you're gonna say. Have a simple, natural intro ready: who you are, what and where you study, and what you're most excited about this summer. Doesn't need to be polished. But don't make it “blah” either. Just be you and be clear.
#3 - Think about how you want people to REMEMBER YOU
Over the years I've found that most students come into a new role focused on what they want to get out of it. That makes sense. But also think about what you want to be known for. Prepared? Curious? Reliable? Easy to work with? You can't control everything but you can be intentional about the kind of intern you show up as.
#4 - Kinda know what you WANT TO LEARN
Write down a few things you want to get out of this summer before it starts. What do you want to get better at? What kind of exposure matters to you? What would make you leave feeling like it was worth it? Go in with some direction.
Don't just let the summer happen to you.
#5 - Prepare a few SMART QUESTIONS now
Asking questions doesn't make you look unprepared. It makes you look engaged. Think through a couple before you start — things like: What does success look like for an intern on this team? What should I focus on in my first two weeks? Good questions help you learn faster and signal that you're a critical thinker who's taking this opportunity seriously. Just be wise about it. Ask yourself if the question genuinely adds value before you ask it out loud.
#6 - Deal with LIFE LOGISTICS before day 1
This is the part most students get caught slipping on. If your housing is shaky, your money is tight, or your commute is unclear — that stress will creep right into the first week. Get the basics locked in NOW. Know your route. Have your first month expenses accounted for and covered. If you need to have a conversation with your parents or guardians about bridging the first few weeks, have it before the internship starts, not when you're already in NHO.
#7 - Start the "PROOF DOC" now
Log into your personal GoogleDrive and open a new doc. Call it "Summer 26 Internship Receipts." Leave it empty for now. Just having it ready will frame how you pay attention once the work starts. You'll use it to track projects, feedback, wins, and moments where you learned something. Future you — the one updating their resume and telling stories in interviews — will be glad you started this early. (I'll be calling us back to this doc over the course of the next few weeks)
#8 - Get the MINDSET right
You don't need to show up knowing everything. You need to show up ready to learn. Be coachable. Take notes. Follow through. Ask for clarity when you need it. Your job isn't to walk in and prove you're the smartest intern they've ever hired. Your job is to build trust and trust takes time. Give it that.
The interns who get the most out of the experience are rarely the ones trying the hardest to look impressive. They're the ones who show up prepared, stay open, pay attention, and make the most of what's in front of them.
Not pressure. Not perfection. Preparation.
That's the mindset I want you carrying into this summer.
Quick note on timing: I'm sending this email on a Tuesday as a special kickoff. Starting next Monday, May 18th, The Summer Intern Brief will land in your inbox every Monday morning for the rest of the summer.
Each issue will give you one clear focus for that week; one move to make, one question to ask, something to document, and a reminder to manage your energy, not just your output.
Short. Practical. Written from the employer side of the table, so you're not just getting advice. You're getting the behind the scenes game.
That's what this summer is about.
Let's WORK 💪🏾
By: Lejorne Leys || Founder, CareerHacks || Head of Emerging Talent Strategies
P.S. If this was helpful, forward it to one student who needs it before their internship starts. That's the whole point.
One ask before you go.
Reply to this email and tell me: What's the one thing you're most uncertain about going into your internship?
I read every reply. And it helps me make sure the next nine weeks of briefs actually answer the questions you're carrying.