Tips for Interns
While interning, it is very important that you make the most of your time and impress your fellow coworkers and supervisor. Follow these quick tips to make your summer (or fall, or spring) internship a success!
Be Professional
- Show up to work on time . Tardiness will not impress an employer
- Take your responsibilities seriously. Always treat your internship like it is a full-time job.
- Behave professionally.
- Avoid missing work. If you have to miss work, be sure to call your supervisor in advance.
- Dress appropriately. If you are unsure of the dress code, show up overdressed the first day, then take cues from your coworkers. Better to be overdressed than underdressed!
Keep a Positive Attitude
- Never complain about the work that you are given. Realize that as an intern, you may be given tasks that you consider menial, but bear in mind that they will teach you about office culture.
- Approach all tasks with enthusiasm. If your supervisor sees that you have a positive attitude, you may be assigned larger responsibilities.
- Cooperate with others. No matter how much you may dislike someone, you must make an effort to get along.
- Do not take part in gossip. This could get you into serious trouble and is very unprofessional.
Make the Most of Your Time
- Ask for things to do or be proactive about identifying office needs and volunteering to tackle the projects yourself.
- Further your education by talking to people. Do not be afraid to talk to your coworkers! Learn all that you can about the field that interests you while you are there.
- Do not be intimidated just because you are a student!
- Network, network, network. This again means talking to people. Fellow interns, supervisors, coworkers, clients, etc. You could even arrange informational interviews with various full-time staff throughout the company or organization.
- Keep a record of your projects as well as your day-to-day tasks. Be sure to write down what you enjoy doing as well as what you do not enjoy doing. They are equally important!
- Keep in touch. Follow up with your supervisor or some coworkers after you leave. Also, ask for a letter of reference when you leave.
- Do not burn any bridges. Even if you did not enjoy any of your time at your internship, you never know when you may see someone from your internship later on in your career. It's a small world!