When I was starting out, I had no idea that my internship would become the most important step of my whole career. I thought it was just a box to check, something I had to do to finish school. But looking back, that internship was the reason I got my first real job in therapy. So let me tell you what I learned, and how you can make your own internship work for you.

First, show up ready to learn, not just to do what you are told. I know that sounds simple, but a lot of people walk into an internship thinking they already know everything from their classes. The truth is, books and lectures give you the map, but the internship is where you actually walk the path. Every day you will see real people with real problems. Some days you will feel lost, and that is okay. The therapists you work with expect you to have questions. Asking them is a sign that you care, not that you are dumb. So when you do not understand something, speak up. Say, “Can you show me how you handled that?” or “What do I do when a client cries and I don’t know what to say?” Those questions make you look smart, not weak.

Second, build relationships with everyone, not just your boss. The person at the front desk, the other interns, the janitor who comes in at night, the supervisors from different departments, all of them matter. I made the mistake early on of only talking to my main supervisor. That meant I missed out on a lot of inside information. One day a woman from the billing office told me about a job opening that wasn’t even posted yet. She said, “Hey, I heard they need someone in the youth program. You should talk to Mary.” That tip came from a simple conversation about her dog. I walked over to Mary’s office, introduced myself, and three weeks later I had a job offer. So be friendly to everyone. Say hello. Ask about their weekend. You never know who will be the person who helps you get hired.

Third, show that you are reliable. This is huge. In therapy, trust is everything. If clients cannot trust you, they will not open up. If your supervisor cannot trust you to show up on time and do your notes, they will not recommend you for a job. So be the intern who arrives early, who finishes paperwork before the deadline, who says, “I’ll take that extra case” when everyone else is quiet. I remember one afternoon when a staff member called in sick and my supervisor was panicking. I said, “I can cover the group if you walk me through it.” She looked at me like I had just saved her life. From that day on, she saw me as a teammate, not just a student. When a full-time position opened, she told the hiring committee, “I want that intern. She steps up.” That word-of-mouth recommendation meant more than any resume.

Fourth, learn the rules for getting licensed in your state. Every state has different requirements for how many hours you need, what kind of supervision counts, and what exams you have to pass. Your internship is the perfect time to figure this out because you are already in a setting where licensed professionals work. Ask them, “How did you get your license? What was the hardest part?” They will tell you things your school might forget, like how to track your hours properly or which supervisor has the right credentials. My internship supervisor gave me a checklist of all the paperwork I needed to keep, and that saved me months of stress later. Do not wait until you graduate to start thinking about licensing. Start now, while you are still learning on the job.

Fifth, be open to any kind of work, even the boring stuff. I know you want to do therapy right away. But sometimes internships start with filing, answering phones, or cleaning the waiting room. Do not complain about those tasks. Do them well, and do them with a smile. Why? Because the people you work with are watching to see if you have a good attitude. If you are willing to do the small jobs, they will trust you with bigger ones. I spent my first few weeks entering data into a computer. I hated it. But I did it fast and neat, and soon the office manager started letting me help with intake interviews. That led to one-on-one client work. So treat every task like it matters, because it does.

Finally, leave a good impression even after your internship ends. Send thank-you notes to everyone who helped you. Stay in touch with your supervisor on LinkedIn. Let them know when you pass an exam or get a new job. Years later, those people will still remember you and might call you with opportunities. I still get emails from my old supervisor asking if I know anyone for open positions. Because I stayed connected, she thinks of me first.

So here is the bottom line: your internship is not just a requirement. It is your best chance to get your foot in the door, make friends, and prove you belong in this field. Show up ready, be kind to everyone, work hard, and learn the licensing rules. If you do those things, you will not just finish your internship. You will start your career.