How to be a great intern
It’s almost intern season again. The opportunity for us students to get our foot in the door, grow skills, build resumes, network and increase our chances of landing a full-time position. Landing a college internship is the eminent start but making the most out of it is a real accomplishment. It can be extremely laborious to stand out while interning for a company. However, with a few simple additions to the daily routine, it is possible to make an impression on the higher figures at the company.
Do your homework before your first day.
If you want to be the greatest intern the office has ever had, you have to start working before you actually start work. Even though you have most likely researched the company thoroughly while preparing for the interview, you should not pause there. Refreshing yourself on a company before starting will give you the confidence you need to go into your internship. Educate yourself through the companies webpage, understand the industry, search your boss and the people you’ll be working with on Linkedin. This confidence will show immediately during the process of making first impressions to employers.
Dress to impress.
Master professional wear each and every day. Dressing professionally not only has the psychological benefit in motivating you to complete tasks superiorly, but it will also leaves lasting impressions on others in the office. As many say, “dress for the position you want, not the position you have.”
Show your commitment.
Show up for work ten minutes earlier than told and if necessary, stay later than work hours to complete tasks efficiently. Going the extra mile during an internship will definitely make the difference.
Treat it like a real job.
Even though your tasks are more menial than others in the office, it will have an impact on the company in some way or another. Take every task given seriously. Push yourself and take on responsibilities that you did not expect to take on prior to starting this job. With everything you do, you will grow in some form or another during sometime in your career. Use the tasks set out by you as a starting point and push yourself to go beyond it. Your boss will be impressed by this and will remember you because of it.
Network.
It’s really real when they say that who you know is everything. Make sure you take advantage of being around such talented and intelligent employers. Socialize with others during any given opportunity. Make lasting connections with people in the company because you never know who can help you for your future endeavors. Ask your boss to get coffee and discuss how she has landed in the position she’s in; it will show her how much you care.
Ask for feedback.
Asking for feedback shows your boss that you want to do whatever it takes to make a difference to the company. It will also give you a better ability to self reflect upon yourself in order to improve on areas you are struggling in. Employers are usually far more helping than you assume; they have been where you are before and know what it’s like to be there.
Enjoy yourself.
You are most likely interning for a company in a career field that you would like to get into after graduation. Remember to appreciate the opportunity you are given to get a foot in the door in the field of your passion. With every day completed in your internship, you are one step closer to becoming a better who ever.
