I'm honestly surprised more interns don't know about this, but there's one thing that consistently helped me get noticed during my internships: sending a weekly reflection email to my manager.
Since I was 16, I've done over 8 internships across tech companies, Silicon Valley startups, and health tech. Every single time, I noticed the same pattern. The interns who got the most opportunities, the best mentorship, and return offers were the ones who took 10 minutes each week to send their manager a recap email.
It sounds almost too simple to be true, right? But it works.
Why I Started Doing This
During my first few internships, I felt invisible. I'd work hard, complete my tasks, but somehow other interns seemed to get more face time with leadership and better projects. I realized I needed to be more intentional about communicating my progress and value.
That's when I started the weekly email habit. The difference was immediate. Managers began checking in with me more, asking for my input on decisions, and including me in executive conversations and presentations.
The Real Impact
When I started working full-time and had an intern to mentor, she used this exact approach. Every Friday, she'd send me and her manager a thoughtful recap of her week. It made my job so much easier as her quasi mentor, and I found myself and saw her manager naturally advocating for her in team meetings because we always knew exactly what she was working on and learning. She ended up getting a return offer!
What Makes These Emails Actually Work
These aren't just status updates. They help to:
- Keep you top-of-mind with your manager without being pushy
- Show that you're reflective and self-aware
- Create opportunities for feedback and mentorship
- Document your growth and contributions over time
The Template That's Worked for Me (and Others)
Here's the exact format I've used and shared with dozens of successful interns:
Subject: Weekly Update - [Your Name] - Week of [Date]
Hi [Manager's Name],
Here's my weekly summary of progress and learnings:
This Week's Focus:
- [Main Project]: [What you accomplished and current status]
- [Secondary Project]: [Progress made and next steps]
- [Self Learning]: [News article, new skills, podcast, etc that may help your team/project]
Roadblocks:
[Any roadblocks you hit and what you did about them - this shows problem-solving]
Next Week's Priorities:
[What you're focusing on and any support you might need]
Thanks for your continued guidance. Let me know if you have any questions or feedback!
Best,
[Your Name]
Internships are short. Most managers, mentors and coworkers are juggling supporting multiple interns plus their regular responsibilities. It's easy to get lost in the shuffle, no matter how good your work is. This weekly email habit ensures you stay visible, demonstrates your diligence and willingness to learn and gives your team a stronger push to invest in your success. Make sure to be consistent. I sent my recap email at the end of the day on Friday's. Keep it easy to read. Showcase your wins but also areas for improvement. Who know, this could change your entire internship experience.