There is clearly no doubt that internships are valuable and will, most likely, land you a job. Being an intern can be stressful and making an impression is not always easy but here is a list of things you should keep in mind while interning. If your internship does not lead to a job, it is always useful to leave with great recommendations, referrals and connections that you may need in the future.
- Be punctual.
It may seem silly but being late, especially on your first day, leaves a terrible impression from the start. Being early is a sign of respect and it just shows you are ready to work and be productive. So set that alarm and keep in mind it’s always better to be early than late!
- Complete your tasks and ask for more
It’s important to complete your assigned tasks in a timely manner. To be safe, always make sure to ask for a deadline so you can plan accordingly. Once you are done, don’t sit at your desk doing nothing or checking out your phone. Instead reach out to your co-workers/managers and let me know you are free to work on a new project.
- Ask questions
If you don’t know, well … you don’t know. There is nothing worse than pretending that you know and not asking. It may get you stuck in your work or even fail. Instead, you should feel free to ask questions. Not only does it show that you want to do the right thing but it also emphasizes your interest and it just prevents making mistakes. Your manager will most likely love helping you out and giving you advice. You will feel less stressed and in the meantime, you get to learn even more!
- Be organized
In the world of communication, multi-tasking is a big thing and it can quickly feel overwhelming. Being organized should be your top priority to stay on track. Feel free to have a planner or a calendar that helps you identify your daily and weekly projects. Don’t forget to set deadlines! This way, you know what to focus on. Don’t waste time on a task that is due in two weeks if you have something due by tomorrow morning.
- Have a positive attitude
Of course companies are looking for brilliant, smart interns but your attitude has a lot to do with how your co-workers and managers perceive you. If you bring a positive attitude to the office and your willingness to help and alleviate some of your coworkers’ work, they will most likely be grateful. If you bring a negative attitude by being overly critical and demanding, you may leave a bad impression and that’s not what you are looking for.
- Leave on a good note
Your very last week as an intern, it is wise to let everyone know you are leaving soon and you are ready to take on any last project they may need you to work on. The more valuable and available you make yourself, the harder it will be for them to see you go. On your very last day you should be ready to thank everyone for the opportunity you’ve had and give them positive feedback on your experience.
- Post-Internship
Keep in touch with your co-workers and managers. You never know if you might need their help or referrals in the future. Feel free to ask them for a LinkedIn recommendation. If you have done a good job, they will be more than happy to do it for you.
- If your internship was not what you expected…
If your internship was not what you expected, try to be positive about it and learn from it. It is always disappointing but … hey, it’s just one internship! The next one will be better. Be careful not to publicly criticize the company or your coworkers, even if you had that awful, micromanaging boss that no one likes. It’s a small world we live in and you certainly don’t want the wrong person to hear your negative comments. You should be careful whom you give negative feedback to.