If you've spent your summer at an internship, the way many college students do, you're probably wondering when all your hard work will pay off. There isn't much time left in the summer, and now is the time to move past being just “The Intern” at work.

Despite that individuals partake in internships for a variety of reasons and are motivated by different expectations, almost every intern would like to leave his or her internship knowing office co-workers will remember his or her name.

Regardless of the type of internship you have, it's important to impress your employer, whether in order to secure a chance at a future job or just to have a good reference on file. There are some things you can do in order to help your employer know and respect you for who you are and what you can do, rather than for just being another intern.

For instance, if you don't feel that the assignments your employer is having you do are conducive to what you're hoping to take away from the internship, you shouldn't be afraid to ask for more assignments. If you want your employer to come up with something a little more challenging for you to do, and even if you have your own idea in mind, relaying this information will help you stand out. Marketing your mindset shows you as someone willing to take initiative, and you will most likely get to work on projects that you will enjoy and ultimately learn from.

On a more personal level, I had a paid internship at a small-town radio station beginning the summer after my freshman year of college. A few months into that internship, I went from helping out with simple office duties to actually writing and reading the news on air, as well as helping out with live broadcasts – all because I let those around me know that I would be willing and interested in doing more than just the mundane, everyday tasks of a business. I ended up keeping that internship spot through my senior year of college.

If you're able to show your personality and prove to your employer that you're willing to go above and beyond the norm, there is a much higher chance that they will remember you, even like you, and potentially be a connection to a future job.