Part of having a successful college experience includes gaining work experience for the real world (I know, it seems scary), and there is a multitude of ways to do this. Maybe you took a leadership position in a campus organization, or maybe you even took on an important role at an internship. Taking on a big role can often times bring new challenges into the workplace, which will really test your skills and strategies.
However, everything doesn't always work out the way you plan it.
For instance, I ended up working at a challenging internship -- and I'm going to tell you all how I approached each and every challenging aspect. I hope that by others reading how I approached each challenging aspect of my internship, others will take my tips and apply them to their own internships.1. How you can make the most of the company culture:
Sometimes the interns would have a rather heavy workload that would appear to be unbearable and stressful at times. I thought I would never get any of my work done all in one day, but by determining which assignments to prioritize over some of the others, the interns were able to get what needed to get done. The workload became much easier to handle, and the whole atmosphere of the workplace became peaceful and productive in no time.
2. How you can improve management:
From the beginning of my internship, my employer was very upfront about being behind the times, especially on social media. It came as no surprise when he initially questioned its effectiveness, especially when the website was unavailable for use. I helped my employer recognize the importance of social media when I explained the purpose for each social media account, and what I've done to increase our presence through those platforms. By explaining the importance of using social media platforms, it served as a great way to gain my employer's confidence and trust in me with my knowledge and skill set. Trust your skill set and your knowledge and show your internship that you've got what it takes to step up the top, just like I did.
3. How you can keep up with what is expected of you at your internship:
Now, when you sign a contract, you do it with the knowledge that you will be compensated with what's promised to you and that you fulfill your expected duties. Even if one party didn't fulfill their obligations, that doesn't mean you should drop everything. In my case, I was committed to at least finish all necessary updates to the website and provided the plans I had for improving the content and reach of the social media accounts. With that being said, you should always follow through with what is expected of you as an intern, because in the end, it will show employers that you're dedicated, committed and serious about your career.
Stay on track and keep working hard, because it is possible to turn any situation into a positive one, which will lead to a much better workplace for the future.
