Let’s be honest: Most of the internship guides you’ve read are repetitive. Practical, but they tell you the same thing over and over. I’m not here to downplay the advice you’ve received at places just like this one– nail your interview, send hand written follow-up notes, thoroughly complete intern assignments– but what I am here to do is tell you the things that you need to be doing in between making coffee and dusting off your new keycard. And of course, what you need to stop doing immediately.
Being the Intern
The worst thing about being an intern is actually being an intern. There will inevitably be that one person that’s way too comfortable at the company to learn the new girl’s name, and will simply resort to calling her “intern.” This person will likely introduce you to others as “their new intern,” because for some reason people like the idea of owning a person for the sole purpose of free labor, but that’s a different story for a different lawsuit. Don’t let someone else’s rude behavior spoil your experience. Remember:
-You’re the one taking initiative for your career, be proud of that.
-This is just a preview of the resistance you will face as a professional woman.
-Internship supervisors and their coworkers aren’t perfect. They’re normal people at work every day.
Attitude
On the job you’ll likely encounter a variety of personalities. Some of these may be happy and optimistic, while others are the exact opposite. When in doubt, aim for the former. This is not a pass to skip around the office with a goofy smile on your face and an unbearably high-pitched voice. Keep it mature, but don’t let yourself become jaded. You’re an intern. Those over you think that everything they do is full of wonder and intrigue to you. It’s your job to let them think that. It’s not your job to be overly sarcastic, mediocre, or too relaxed. Leave that for the employee who’s job you have your eye on after graduation.
Rocking It
On the upside, being an intern is really just a prime opportunity to prove yourself. Go above and beyond on assignments and execute the small stuff perfectly. Never say no to an opportunity offered to you. Be pleasant to be around and when someone needs help in the office make them think, “I’ll just ask that awesome new intern in the office with the really cute wedges.” In other words, do your job so well so that next time, they pay you for it. Â
Need help finding a great internship? Look no further than the Longhorn Internship Connection. There, you can find and create review feedback related to past internships. Help out your fellow Collegiettes here.