My second year of college, I got a rare opportunity with a non-profit.
Initially, I was asked to do an internship where I helped someone create a blog filled with helpful resources for people who had recently lost spouses.
The plan changed to helping someone build a website design, a logo, an official name and thousands of other details for a full-fledge nonprofit.
I worked primarily on building a website design while contributing ideas to other projects and watching the originators build a non-profit from the ground up.
I learned a lot – sometimes from successes, sometimes from my mistakes. Here are 5 lessons I learned:
1. Write Your Job Description and Goals in the Beginning
It’s amazing how easy it is to off-track on projects.
You may discover fascinating side-topics.
You may forget some of the details.
Sometimes coworkers ask you to do things that aren’t technically your job.
To avoid this, write out exactly what you need to accomplish by the internship’s end and complete those things first.
You’ll probably do more – since I worked at a still-developing non-profit, I contributed to everything from social media presence to brainstorming the official logo.
But keep your eyes on the primary things.
2. Know What You Absolutely Can’t Compromise On
Collaborators can be great – they bring fresh perspectives, see mistakes you’d probably miss, and their suggestions can take projects to new levels of excellence.
But there are always some things you absolutely must do one way, no matter their suggestions.
Things you only have enough resources to do one way.
Things you only know how to do one way and don’t have time to relearn.
Or, simply things common sense dictates must be done a certain way.
Figure out those absolutely non-negotiable things, and have good reasons why you can’t compromise on them.
Keep this info in the back of your mind, and if someone challenges it, tactfully explain why you can’t compromise.
3. Don’t Be Too Proud to Ask for Help
It’s tempting to just fix issues yourself.
This is particularly true for Americans, who tend to love rugged individualism -- never stopping in the face of problems, just fighting and forging ahead like Thomas Edison or Walt Disney.
There certainly is value to persevering, but working smart means you seek help when you need it.
It’s actually rare to find someone who works totally alone -- no assistance or input from anyone else -- and reaches the top.
Edison had assistants, and at least one became a brilliant inventor in his own right.
Walt Disney had a brother who handled the company finances.
So look for help when you need it. Find books, articles or other helpful resources. Build personal connections you can consult.
Don’t be afraid to admit inexperience, just get resources to make up for it.
4. Be Tactful
Eventually, you’ll disagree with co-workers or supervisors.
It’s important not to take these conflicts personally. Compromise when appropriate, and if you can’t compromise (see #2) stay calm as you explain your objections.
Put your foot down, but do it with a strip of velvet.
One piece of advice I’ve found really helps is to phrase objections like questions. Instead of saying “No, we’re not doing this,” say something like, “Have you considered this side?”
5. Prepare for Excellence
For my first big internship meeting, I had to present what I’d accomplished so far -- and I no idea who’d attend. The non-profit didn’t even have an official name yet, I had only met my immediate supervisor.
I did know my supervisor once worked for an internationally-ranked leadership expert and had consulted some experts for on about the non-profit’s mission.
So I prepped with the assumption I would present to a group of experts.
I dressed smart.
I practiced what I’d say.
I made paper copies of my presentation in case my computer died.
In the end, there were only two people in the meeting -- but I could have presented to ten to twenty.
Preparing to impress lets you be ready for anything.
Have you learned anything great from working with organizations? Leave a comment below with the best lesson you've learned
