We’ve all seen how it is in the movies. The higher-ups in a company throw basketballs at mini hoops from their office chairs while the meek, unassuming interns spill six mocha lattes all over themselves just as they arrive back from the 3:00 coffee run. In Hollywood, being an intern can be a thankless job. While this depiction of life at the bottom of the food chain may not be entirely a product of Hollywood writing, there is a wealth of knowledge and insight that can be gained from taking on an internship. After all, Anne Hathaway couldn’t have learned that fashion wasn’t her niche had it not been for the ruthless experience of working under Meryl Streep. I had the pleasure of working for a small company near my home in New Jersey this summer, and while I had an excellent experience, I also realized that the movies aren’t entirely fictional.
1. Answering phones is harder than you thought
Hearing is hard. Spelling is hard. Phones are hard. Dealing with nasty clients can be super difficult but is a great way to train you to be calm, cool, and collected. "No, ma'am, he's not available at the moment. I'm sorry that you've been calling since last week, but I assure you, I will let him know that you called. No, I'm not trying to get rid of you."
2. You’re probably not getting invited to that gala
When everyone in the office is griping about the gala they have to go to on Saturday but hasn't mentioned anything to you about it, you're probably going to feel a little left out. As the low man on the totem pole, you shouldn't expect to get all of the perks of being a full-time employee on your very first day. Work to get yourself recognized and prove to your coworkers that you really are an asset to the company.
3. Coffee runs are a real thing
While carrying multiple coffees from the car to the office can be a challenge, it can actually be a great way to clear your head from work for a little while. And you even get to treat yourself to the venti iced vanilla chai that you've been craving all morning. Everybody wins!
4. You'll be the office guinea pig on more than one occasion
It's simply a characteristic of being an intern. You get the grunt work that nobody else wants to do. Take advantage of doing the easy stuff while you can—it won't be much longer until you have bigger responsibilities than stapling forms and writing out birthday cards.
5. Not everybody wants to be your friend
Having friends at work can be great. It makes lunch hour more fun and the last 40 minutes of the day a lot easier to get through. So coming from a generation of followers and friend requests, when a colleague doesn't care to learn about you, it can seem a little hurtful. Some coworkers may not bother to get to know you or even learn your name. Don't take it personally; as long as you get the job done, there should be no reason for anyone to dislike you, even if they don't want to be your friend.
6. Don’t bring your personal problems to work
Not only is it unprofessional, but it can be seriously distracting. Bringing personal problems into the workplace can throw off your performance and seriously turn off employers. Talking about yourself and sharing stories can serve as a great way to learn about your colleagues, but nobody wants to work with someone who can't focus on the task at hand. Tuck your personal life into the back of your mind and handle it when you get home.
7. Take notes from those with more power than you
Being at the bottom can be a humbling experience. When literally everyone around you is in a higher position of power than you are, the learning opportunities are seemingly endless. Take this time to really listen to those around you and heed the advice you are given. Odds are, the people around you with the most power have lived life much longer than you have and want to use their knowledge to help you succeed. Let them.
8. Don’t make excuses
Take responsibility when making a mistake. You will often be asked to complete many tasks at one time as a serious help to those around you. If you don't have a task completed on time, get it done. Taking ownership of your work, even when you've made an error, is a sign of maturity. Coming up with excuses as to why you were late or why you couldn't complete x, y and z doesn't help you or your colleagues.
9. Ask questions
It's a simple fact that old people love to talk about themselves. Asking questions at work can be the gateway into a meaningful conversation about your future and how your boss can help you achieve it. Be present when someone is speaking to you and use their answers to your advantage. Your boss will love that you want to know more about his or her line of work, and you will get some great insight from their responses.
10. Nobody got to where they are by doing nothing
Working your way up from the bottom is a great way to maintain focus on the journey ahead. You know what it's like to be at the bottom, which will only make you fight harder to make it to the top. Interning is a great way to learn about how different businesses run and an even greater way to market yourself to the world. Put 150 percent effort into everything you do, and it will most definitely serve you in the long run.
