Dive into Your Summer Internship
Congratulations! You landed a summer internship and you’re ready to take off your “swimmies” and see what it’s like in the deep end. Whether it’s paid or unpaid, an internship is a wonderful opportunity to explore an industry, network within a field, and even begin a career.
Now that you’re past the internship search and interview, what’s next? Consider these tips as you dive headfirst into your summer opportunity.
Making a Great First Impression
Ditch the smart phone. Texting, tweeting, or checking Facebook during work hours will send a terrible signal to your new authority. Take your internship seriously. Limit smart phone use to breaks and emergencies.
Step back on the slang. We tend to choose our words wisely during interviews and meetings, but slack off in conversation. Listen to yourself talk. Consider cutting back on saying “like,” “bro,” and “kinda.”
Edit your emails. Keep your emails professional. Always take a second read through for incorrect grammar, misspellings, and clarity. Consider this – Would you be embarrassed if the CEO of the company were to read your emails? If so, you have some editing to do.
Welcome to the no flip-flop zone. Oscar Wilde has said, “You can never be overdressed or overeducated.” There’s no harm in being at the fancier end of the company dress code spectrum. Be aware of the office dress code policy and avoid flirting with the bottom line.
Balancing Your Life
Take care of yourself. Running yourself down will not make a good impression on your boss. Aim to get 6-8 hours of sleep each night, so your work performance won’t suffer. Keep your productivity high by fueling your body with healthy snacks during your workday.
Early is the new “on time.” Even if the office culture suggests it’s okay to come in 5 minutes late everyday, go the extra mile and arrive on time or early. Also, be sure to stay late when projects need extra attention. Your consistency will shine.
Be one step ahead of yourself. It’s likely you are entering a balancing act between your internship, a summer semester, work if your internship is unpaid, and your social life. Whether paper or digital, keep an organized calendar of your life so you don’t overbook yourself. And don’t just think in terms of time! Consider when you’ll be “emotionally overbooked,” perhaps during midterms or a friend’s wedding.
Staying Motivated and Working Hard
Explore your network. Now that you’ve landed an internship, don’t just keep your head down. Greet others in the morning and start conversations in the break room. Consider reaching out to a potential mentor. Asking to spend an hour with them to offer insight and knowledge is appropriate.
Be (mostly) a self-starter. Typically employers look for self-starters – those who are able to take a project on and independently troubleshoot. Employers also look for learners – workers who take notes and ask questions. It’s up to you to find the delicate balance between the two. Consider asking questions for anything you don’t know, only after you have attempted to answer it yourself.
Do your research. Learn about the company you’ll be interning with. See if they have been in the news recently, for any accomplishments or scandals. Learn who the key players are in the company, including the CEO, and what they look like.
Finally, keep a great attitude throughout your internship. Be thankful for the awesome opportunity to work in your field of interest. When your internship is coming to a close, leave on a good note by actually leaving a note! Hand write a thank you note to your supervisor, thanking him or her for a great experience and the wonderful opportunity.
Some internships end with job offers, but it’s not a guarantee. After your last day, do what you can to stay in touch with your boss and coworkers. Connect with them on appropriate social media, such as Twitter and LinkedIn. If you made a good impression on-the-job, they might think of you when an opportunity comes up.
