End your internship with common sense

Although there is still plenty of sunshine and hot weather left for the season, now is the time to start thinking about how to wrap up your summer internship before heading back to school. Regardless of whether your work experience was transcendent or abysmal, there are steps you can take to depart on a positive note.

Just as first impressions are lasting, final ones can make quite an impact as well. Don't slough off during the last few days on the job, thinking nobody is noticing.

U.S. News & World Report career and business writer Alison Green recently posted some valuable exit tips. Although some of them are just plain common sense, it's surprising how often they go unheeded in the workplace. For instance, simply extending a heartfelt thanks to your supervisor and co-workers goes a long way. Tell them how much you enjoyed your time with them, what valuable insights you gleaned from the experience, and what you'll "take with you" in your future endeavors. After all, there is a common perception in our society that niceties and courtesies are things of the past. You'd be surprised how far words like "please" and "thank you" will get you nowadays. (Your mother was right: It does pay to be polite!)