Last summer I landed my dream internship at Rodale, Inc., working as a beauty editorial intern for Women's Health. I've only had one internship in the past at a Brooklyn hospital, so the editorial world was just a tad new to me. Prior to the internship, I was given essential advice on how to survive the corporate world in NY. And just as I was given great advice, I want to do the same for those who will be interning either next semester or this summer.
If it both excites you and frightens you, go for it.
1. Dress the part.
Just how your environment can affect your productivity levels, so can your outfit. If you know you typically rush in the mornings, stay up an extra 10 minutes the night before and plan your outfit. It will be worth it.
2. Show up 15-30 minutes earlier.
Especially for those who will be driving to their internships, leaving a bit earlier than usual should not be a hassle. If I (coming from Staten Island all the way to East Midtown, Manhattan) was able to wake up earlier to get on a ferry and a subway, you can hop in your car 20 minutes ahead of your scheduled time. Showing up early not only portrays you as eager and responsible, but there's an extra benefit for you: you can get breakfast.
3. If you've completed all tasks, ask for more.
Never think you have "nothing" to do. There will always be something to do. Your bosses haven't forgotten about you just because you haven't received an email in the past hour. Sometimes they get so consumed in their own work that they innocently forget to check up on you. So what do you do? You reach out to them and ask what you can do.
4. Positive attitude, no matter what.
You may have an amazing internship, but that doesn't mean you won't ever have a bad day or two. Internships can be stressful and time-consuming (depending on your industry), but that's okay. It's preparing you for the real world where not everything runs smoothly. Embrace the bad days and force yourself to come out of them with positivity. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
5. Don't sell yourself short.
This kind of ties into #4. It can be intimidating when you're working amongst other individuals around your age who want (if not the exact) similar future positions as you. This can cause you to doubt yourself or focus too much on what others are doing or how they are performing. Don't do either. An editor at WH once told me to ignore what others are doing. It's your journey and your achievements will come at your own time. Remind yourself that you are smart, are there for a reason, and capable of anything.
I promise you, you can handle it.
CL
