So you just got offered an internship for the summer; that's awesome! There might be a lot of things going on in your head once you got the email or phone call saying that you got the internship position. You may be excited to get started, but you may also be scared about what the internship will be having in store. Believe me, I know the feeling. When I accepted my summer internship with Al Roker Entertainment last year, I was both excited and scared at the same time. All it really takes is the right preparation so not only you know what you are getting yourself into, but also so you will have this knowledge when you apply for any internships in the future. These are seven ways to help prepare for your first internship.
1. Determine how long your commute will be at least a week before your internship starts.
This is a must if you want to make it to your internship on time. If your internship is in a big city, such as New York or Philidelphia, you would need to look up train or bus schedules for the mornings of. They often arrive at their stations in hour intervals, so be cautious of that. If your internship is local, I suggest looking up the address of your internship on Google Maps to see the distance of it from home and the route you need to get there.
2. Be prepared both physically and mentally.
This means go to bed early, prepare your outfit and lunch the night before, eat a big breakfast the morning of, and get there early (and don't forget your coffee).
3. Do research on the company.
Try to find out about the company, the employees, what they stand for, and anything else that you think is relevant before the internship starts.
4. Take lots of notes.
When your supervisor tells you about your responsibilities with the company and anything else you need to know before getting started, write them down. Whether you have paper or a laptop, everything you're told on the first day is critical to remember when continuing the internship.
5. Ask any questions that you may have.
Like I said in the last point, your supervisor will be telling you a lot on the first day, and it will be a lot to take in. So remember to ask as many questions as they will be able to answer so your time at the internship will run smoothly.
6. Introduce yourself to the people working there.
This could be a great networking opportunity for your future career, so try to go out of your way to learn people's names and roles in the company, and form a bond with them.
7. Do more than what is asked of you.
Going above and beyond can show your supervisors that you are serious about your work and passionate about your field of study. Not only you will be learning new things during the process, but you will impress your supervisors.
I hope your internship goes well, and I wish you the best of luck.
