Now that you have several weeks of work under your belt, it is time to seek mid-summer feedback on your performance (if you haven’t already).
Asking for Feedback
Some organizations or firms will have structured mid-summer reviews; others will not. Either way, you should ask for input on your work so that you can learn and improve. Consider asking the internship coordinator or summer program administrator whether you can expect a formal mid-point review – if not, proactively seek out opportunities to receive feedback.
If your assigning attorney is receptive to the idea, consider scheduling a meeting after you submit a project to ask for feedback on your work. You could ask, “[w]hat did you, or other attorneys on the team, have to change about my work before it could be (filed, sent to the client, presented to the board, etc.)?”
Handling Criticism Well
If you receive criticism during your review, how you react to it makes all the difference. Don’t get defensive. Ask questions about the feedback in a way that signals your genuine interest in improving going forward. Be up front, say: “I want to make sure I can fix this problem.” Or, “I can see where I made a mistake. I’d like to have a chance to work with you again so that you can see my improvement.” It is ok to ask, “How can I prevent this in the future?”
Owning up to your mistakes, showing gratitude for the constructive criticism, and demonstrating actual improvement will weigh more in the end than initial missteps early in the summer.
Ask For Help
As an intern or summer associate, you are learning and it is appropriate to ask for help. Mentors, assigning attorneys, and internship coordinators are all great resources. Be known as the law student who enthusiastically works to address feedback and realize improvement. Contact the Career Center if you have any questions regarding how to seek or respond to feedback.