Internship Tips and Advice | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Arts Entertainment

5 Tips To Being A High-Quality Intern

Ask Questions, then learn how to ask better questions.

123
5 Tips To Being A High-Quality Intern

In This Article:

Your excellence got you the internship of your dreams! Now what do I do?

1. Be punctual.

https://giphy.com/gifs/redbullracing-time-2017-3o6nUTwJgyXI9zDuSs

The easiest way to be a successful intern is to be on time. Simple, right? Wrong! This can be one of the hardest adjustments for an intern because consistent timeliness in other areas of life hasn't been made a priority. You're running late to your accounting class? No big deal… You're getting dinner with your friends at 6:30? Eh, I'll get there at 6:45… This is not how the professional world works, my friends! You are expected to be on time or early to anything and everything.

2. Don’t be exceptionally talkative or quiet.

https://giphy.com/gifs/stephen-colbert-secret-quiet-yow6i0Zmp7G24

As an intern, it's widely encouraged that you try to be outgoing and personable. This not only makes you a more effective employee but also allows you to make quality business connections that can extend beyond just your internship. However, while it's important to be personable, you must refrain from being the most talkative person in the room. Every great intern knows how to take a backseat in any given conversation. Talking over your co-workers or manager, attempting to impress them with your knowledge or skill can come off as very disrespectful. Therefore, even when you are certain you already know how something is to be done, allow your superiors to explain it to you. You may also find that you don't know as much as you thought you did!

3. Take initiative.

https://giphy.com/gifs/work-bored-lazy-FBYTrYyjsyq7m

This is HUGE. Do not be the intern who sits at their desk playing solitaire until their boss gives them something to do. Take initiative to find quality work for yourself. The key word is "quality." Don't simply make your rounds at the office asking if you can fill up everyone's coffee mug. Go to your co-workers! Most of them are very busy and would love a helping hand in whatever they are doing. Not only will you create a good reputation for yourself, but you will get more knowledge and experience out of your internship along the way.

4. Ask questions, then learn how to ask better questions.

https://giphy.com/gifs/DUrdT2xEmJWbS

Questions are a thing of beauty for an intern. They are expected of you. One very common fear of almost every intern is the fear of asking questions. Many interns believe that asking questions makes them appear to be unintelligent or ignorant. However, from your boss' perspective, a lack of questions shows a lack of interest. School can only teach you so much, and most industries require a major learning curve from being an educated college student to becoming a full-time, self-sustaining employee. In addition to asking questions, learn how to ask better ones. Don't just run to your supervisor for help every time you encounter a challenge. Seek out the answer yourself first to learn how to ask the right question to get the exact answer you need.

5. Have fun!

https://giphy.com/gifs/suits-P5pgyAkdzuRDq

An internship should be fun! You're getting a taste of a company that you could be working for many years to come. Plus, the company you intern with wants you to enjoy working for them, because if you don't, why would you come back as a full-time employee? It's important to evaluate whether you enjoy working for your company, because if you do, you're probably in the right place!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

81343
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

9040
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments