Summer is almost here, which means the start of a coveted internship for many talented Marist ladies! Being an intern is a great way to begin to understand your chosen career field and learn what kind of employer you’d like to work for. Last fall, I held my first internship with a public relations firm and learned how to take advantage of every day spent in the industry. Here are 5 awesome ways to make the most out of your internship.
1. Ask questions!
Whether it’s your first internship or your tenth, remember: you’re there to learn. Your supervisors aren’t expecting you to be an expert quite yet. However, sometimes it may be hard to determine when you should ask questions and when you should try to figure it out on your own! Arien Rozelle, Visiting Professional Lecturer in the Department of Communication at Marist College says, “If you ever feel like you don’t understand a task, ask for clarification but be specific with your questions. Really try to understand the project, who and what it’s for, and how it will be used, before you return to a supervisor for help. If you’ve already started a project and have that little feeling in the back of your mind that you might be off the mark, ask for clarity before it’s too late.”
Although sometimes it may feel awkward asking your boss questions about what is expected of you, doing so shows them that you’re enthusiastic about your chosen field, want to do your best work, and care about making each and every task count. Rozelle recommends finding a mentor. “This person can provide you with valuable insight into the company, and details about your coworkers that can help you better navigate your job,” Rozelle says.
2. Volunteer to take on more responsibilities.
Don’t just stick to the duties outlined in your internship description! By going above and beyond, you’ll learn more about your career field and show that you’re eager to succeed.Â
Rozelle shared her opinion on what makes an intern stand out and make an impression on an employer. “Take initiative – and by that I don’t mean simply taking direction,” says Rozelle. “Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Develop ideas, strategies and projects that will provide value to your employer. There’s nothing worse than someone who simply waits to be told what do to and only wants to check things off of their list.” She suggests, “Keep up on trends, current events and developments in your industry and understand how they impact your company or how your company can leverage them for greater success.”
Even performing small tasks allows you to connect with more professionals at the company you’re interning for and gain insight about other areas of the company. Â
3. Network! LinkedIn is your friend.
After you finish your internship, you definitely want to keep in contact with all the people you worked so hard to impress with your amazing intern abilities. LinkedIn is the perfect way to develop your professional network from the comfort of your dorm room (Hello networking in pajamas!). “There are a number of ways that Marist students can utilize LinkedIn,” says Rozelle.  “From learning about potential employers to connecting with alumni and speakers you’ve met, to joining groups that provide you with more information about your chosen industry – LinkedIn is an invaluable resource and tool.”
4. Avoid apologizing
You’re still a student, so you’re still learning; you’re going to make a few mistakes! With that in mind, resist the temptation to apologize when receiving constructive criticism. Instead of telling whoever is correcting you that you’re “sorry,” thank them for their expertise and professional opinion; after all, they’re trying to help you understand what you did wrong the first time and how to avoid future mistakes. Lastly, consider that how you react to critique absolutely makes an impression on your employer, so keep it cool, ladies!Â
5. Take notes!
During my first internship, I found the best way to remember what I learned was to write it down. Although that sounds extremely simple, you won’t believe what will slip your mind; you don’t want to have to ask your supervisor about printer settings or FedEx instructions right before an important company deadline or special event. As an intern, write down everything you do each day when you get home so at the end of the internship you have a clear list of specific tasks you completed to include on your resume or cover letter.  Â
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Don’t forget that Marist Career Services offers information on resumes, cover letters, networking with Alumni, and searching and applying for internships. Make sure you’re eligible to receive credit for an internship before you start the application process!
One last fabulous piece of advice from Rozelle that I think all of us Marist collegietter can apply not only to internships, but every situation we’ll face as we advance through college, graduate, and build our careers: “Be innovative, be creative, be curious, and be kind. Be interesting. Be the person you want to talk to at a cocktail party.”
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Photo 1: Stephanie Duffy