What Internships Teach Us
Start writing a post
Adulting

10 Things You've Learned Halfway Through Your Summer Internship

You're the newbie of the office for the next 12 weeks.

284
10 Things You've Learned Halfway Through Your Summer Internship
Corrine Harding

Having an internship is an excellent way to network, grow as a professional, and figure out what you would like to do as a career after graduation. Internships can teach us so much more about the industry we want to work in more than what a classroom does because they are hands-on and supposed to be more like real life. If you have made it half-way through your internship, you have definitely learned these things about your workplace. Some of these things we learn will help us for the rest of our professional lives while other things will be things we laugh at later on.

How to manage the technology they use.

Printer PanickGiphy

From the dreaded copier machine to the email services to the coffee machine, there is a definite learning curve of the technology each company to function. It is your job to learn by trial and error to figure out this technology. If you haven't figured it out yet, let's hope you get it by the end of your internship.

 You feel like a million bucks when you get your pay check (if you get paid.)

MoneyGiphy

If you are fortunate to get a paid internship, when you get your first paycheck you feel like you are rolling in the dough. You want to buy all the things and you understand the true happiness money can give you.

But with great power comes great responsibility.

Too Much Responsibility Giphy

After you spend your paycheck on things you don't really need, you find out the hard way that you actually have to be responsible with your money. You know paying bills and saving money for the future is kind of a big deal. Going out to eat is a treat now, not a necessity.

Who to go to for work gossip.

ShockedGiphy

You may only be a few weeks into your internship, but you can always find out the tea of what is really going on the office. Whether is it by the water cooler or people talk around the cubicles. Office gossip is some of the best gossip.

You have an early bedtime now.

GoodnightGiphy

Back in the good old days (a month ago) you could stay up all night and be okay. After working full time, you realize that staying up till 10 o'clock is an actual challenge. Good luck trying to watch a movie without dozing off.

Honestly, being an intern is weird.

I Am ConfusionGiphy

You are considered an adult with responsibilities but still not confused about tasks you are given. You also don't know a lot of people in the office, but it seems like everyone knows you because of you being the new kid on the block.

Vacation days are limited.

Beach TimeGiphy

As you drive past your local community pools or water parks, you often think about the time when you had so much more free time. Being an intern, you have limited or if any vacation days because you are only working there for a short amount of time. Hopefully, you work for a boss who is flexible and understanding about how hectic summer can be.

You experience so much networking.

I'm NetworkingGiphy

One of the best things about internships is that it opens doors to meet people from all of ages and stages in their careers. They can help you grow as a professional and just a person in general. Finding connections and mentors early on in your career can help you succeed long-term. They always say, "it's who you know, not what you know."

You eat practically all the time.

Always HungryGiphy

From retirement parties to going to lunch meetings, there is usually food always around somewhere somehow. At first, you dive in face first enjoying all the food until your pants get a little tighter than they did at the beginning of the summer. We always talk about the Freshman 15, but let's talk about the Intern 10.

That satisfaction of completing your to-do lists.

To-Do ListGiphy

Being an intern means you get several projects throughout the summer to help your company succeed. One of the best feelings is finishing one of your tasks and projects. Honestly, it is one of the most satisfying feelings ever.

Through all the stress and learning curves, having an internship can bring, those 12-weeks can be the best weeks of our lives personally and professionally. They help us realize what we do and don't want to do as careers while we test the waters of different companies. Here is to the rest of our internships, that we can fight the Intern 10 and leave the company better off than when we started.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
beer on the beach

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

7 Reasons SoCal Rocks!

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

1676
woman in black and white long sleeve shirt carrying girl in red jacket in Venice beach
Photo by Jeff Hopper on Unsplash

SoCal summers are the best summers by far, and honestly, no argument is needed. But, if you aren't sure why SoCal summers are the best, here are 7 reasons why!

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

25 Lyrics for Selfie Captions

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

53897
woman takes a selfie for social media
Pixabay

Sometimes you can't think of the perfect caption for your Instagram post. I love using lyrics as my captions because there's so many great lines in songs that just seem to fit in the moment. Here are some lyrics that could work for your selfie or pictures of you with your friends!

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Bruce Springsteen's Top 7 Lyrics

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

20345
bruce springsteen album cover born in the usa

Anyone who was born and raised in New Jersey (or anywhere really) knows of Bruce Springsteen, whether or not they like him is a whole other situation. I hope that his hundreds of classic rock songs and famous high energy performances, even in his sixties he can put on better concerts than people half his age, are at least recognizable to people of all ages. Love him or hate him (I identify with the former) you have to admit that some of his songs and interviews have inspirational quotes and lyrics.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

New England Summers Are The BEST Summers

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

5867
Marconi Beach

Three years ago, I chose to attend college in Philadelphia, approximately 360 miles away from my small town in New Hampshire. I have learned many valuable lessons away from home, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Pennsylvania. One thing that my experience has taught me, however, is that it is absolutely impossible to beat a New England summer.

You cannot beat the beach. Believe it or not (which many people may not), New England has a long and beautiful coastline. Most of my high school summers were spent sitting on the Wall at Hampton Beach, getting sunburnt and eating Acai bowls from The Secret Spot. The Wall was the place to be both during the day and at night. We begin our days there with a KB's bagel and coffee, and end them with pizza and ice cream. It’s not a New England summer without that 4 p.m. text from someone, “Who wants to meet at the Wall tonight?” Nighttime is for Tripoli’s Pizza, the sound of waves, and wishes on shooting stars. Wednesday nights are especially important, as those are the nights that Hampton Beach sets off the weekly firework display.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments