While an internship is a great opportunity for college students and graduates to gain experience in a field of interest, it can also be a springboard to find an entry level job. Katharine Hansen describes one example of how a summer intern used a proactive approach to create a job opportunity for himself. This approach is just one among several strategies that can help you go from an intern to an employee. Here are others offered by Hansen:

• Intern with a company you wouldn't mind working for
• Fit in with the company culture
• Work hard
• Watch your every move on the job
• Be the best worker you can be, and treat others the way you want to be treated
• Look for additional assignments
• Do well in school to impress employers
• Have a good attitude and a desire to learn
• Develop your skills
• Be creative
• Track your contributions and accomplishments
• Be a team player
• Ask for feedback on your performance as an intern
• Ask about a permanent job opportunity
• Network
• Find a mentor
• To move from an internship into an entry level job, stay in touch, and be persistent

Source: http://www.quintcareers.com/turning_internship_to_job.html