By Maansi Nema
This past summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern as a Generative AI Product Management Intern at Wells Fargo. Throughout my internship, I gained valuable technical skills, but I also learned the importance of soft skills—those intangible qualities that truly make a difference in the workplace. I’d like to share some of the key soft skills I developed during my internship and why I believe they are essential for future interns.
- Have Empathy
Empathy is a crucial skill that allows you to connect with others on a deeper level. Being approachable and easy to talk to can significantly enhance your workplace relationships. During my internship, I found that empathy helped me better understand my colleagues’ perspectives and made me more effective in my role. Working in an environment that values empathy can make all the difference, so I would highly recommend seeking out companies that prioritize this in their company culture. Something I have grown up hearing is “treat others the way you would want to be treated” and I truly believe this is an important approach in the workplace when it comes to working with other people and putting yourself in their shoes.
- Be Transparent
As an intern, you will likely make mistakes—that’s part of the learning process. I believe that the key is to be honest and communicate openly with your team when these situations happen. In my opinion, the best approach is to clearly explain the situation and detail what happened from your perspective. Don’t be afraid to acknowledge any errors you made and take responsibility for your actions. Once you’ve laid everything out, you can ask for guidance on how to resolve the issue. This shows that you are committed to learning and improving. By being proactive in trying to find a solution, it shows accountability and also helps you build trust with your team. I think trying to hide mistakes can lead to bigger problems down the road, so it’s best to address them from the beginning.
- Communicate Effectively
Clear and consistent communication is super important during your internship. From the start, make sure to articulate your goals and keep your team informed about your progress. Sometimes, people on your team might not know what the role of the intern is or what you are supposed to be working on, so it’s best to communicate that yourself. I found it helpful to create and send out a weekly summary email where I highlighted my goals for the week and the various things I worked on throughout the week to keep myself accountable and share with my manager. I found this was helpful to keep everyone in the loop and leave the door open for any feedback or any action items your team wants you to work on too. If you find yourself uncertain about something, don’t hesitate to ask questions and seek clarification on what’s expected of you or in general if you are unsure about how to approach your tasks.
- Be Open-Minded
One of the best ways to grow during an internship is to be open-minded and willing to try new things. Say yes to opportunities that come your way, even if they are outside your comfort zone. I came into the internship not really knowing what I would be working on and through coffee chats I had with team members, I learned about different projects they were working on. Through this, I was able to figure out what I wanted to contribute to and how. You never know which experiences will help you discover new interests or career paths.
- Embrace Change
Change is inevitable, especially in dynamic environments like tech and finance. Being adaptable and open to change can help you navigate unexpected challenges and also explore new opportunities. I would highly recommend being flexible and trying to adapt in different situations to do what is best for the team. I think also going the extra mile at work to stay on top of industry trends and see what are important skills to be learning and making an effort to develop those is important, since there are always new skills to learn and new changes happening in the world of tech and finance.
Internships are incredible opportunities to develop both technical and soft skills. What you gain from an internship largely depends on the effort and attitude you bring to it. By focusing on empathy, transparency, communication, open-mindedness, and adaptability, you can make the most of your experience and set yourself up for future success. Good luck!
Maansi Nema, is currently a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in Computer Science.