Written by Tayla Young
Congratulations! You’ve made it through the long, dreadful days of stalking job sites and have aced the interview, landing you your very first internship. The goal of an internship is to explore your career interests, develop skills from the professionals who do it best, and gain real world experience. They allow you to get your feet wet and explore what it’s like working day-to-day in the industry of your dreams.
But you can breathe now; the hardest part is over. Now all you have to worry about is making an impression that’ll last a lifetime. No pressure, right?
I know what you’re thinking: I just got my first internship and I have no clue what to do next, if I’ll be good enough, and how to stand out among the others. Relax – this guide (with the help of Drake lyrics) will help you become the perfect asset to any team.
- “Know yourself, know your worth.”
Walk in with your head held high. Be confident in yourself and your abilities. You deserve this and you’ve earned it, so do not doubt yourself. Your colleagues trust that you’ll get the job done, which is why they’ve selected you for the position. They don’t expect you to know everything!
2. “Nails done, hair done, everything did.”
Part of making a great first impression, and one that will last even after your internship has ended, is appearance. Dress as professionally as possible on your budget. Stores like Target, H&M, Forever 21 and Zara make it easy to slay without breaking the bank. You want to make sure you’re presentable and can stand next to colleagues and fit right in.
The first step to dressing for success is to consider the industry you’ll be working in. Are you interning in a law office, bank, or with a government official? You’ll need to keep it conservative. Aim for higher necklines or a suit to cover up a bit and stick to neutral tones. It may not be best to wear a hot pink shirt and neon pants to a law office. Did you land a position with a PR Agency or the city’s top magazine? You may have a less strict dress code but you’ll still need to be professional. Pay attention to how your colleagues were dressed when you went into the office for your interview. If you’re still unsure, don’t be afraid to ask. Just remember: things like flip flops, low cut tops and short shorts are never appropriate.
The second step is to make sure you never roll into work like you literally just rolled out of bed. Always iron your clothing. Always check for stains. Always make sure you hair is nice and neat.
3. “Better late than never, but never late is better”.
The early bird gets the worm, right? Arrive a little early every day. This one might seem basic, but it’s important. Arriving early and even staying after hours shows employers that you are eager to learn, committed to completing your tasks and determined to succeed during the course of your internship.
4. “I ain’t got to do it, but somebody got to do it.”
Two words: Take Initiative. Enthusiastically take on the projects that no one will volunteer to do. Why? Your colleagues will see that you’re not afraid of a challenge and you’ll automatically stand out as your co-interns sit idle. Interns usually get the annoying tasks that not even the higher-ups want to do but there’s reason for everything you’re assigned – take it all in stride.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask to take part in brainstorm sessions or observe staff meetings. The purpose of an internship is to gain experience from those already doing what you aspire to. Sitting among them can offer valuable insight.
5. “I just had somebody tell me I fell off, ooh I needed that.”
As the saying goes, “be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Learn to accept constructive criticism. Do not take it personally and do not get defensive. Taking criticism is never easy but showing that you can’t handle it will make most employers second guess choosing you for the position. Instead of becoming angry or even arguing with a colleague, stay positive and focus on ways that you can improve your performance. Most mistakes happen when we don’t understand something or need clarification which is why asking questions is so vital during your internship. Employers would rather you ask questions than to turn in work that they’ll have to redo or not turning in your assignments at all. You’re not expected to have all the answers when you walk through the door on your first day so never be afraid to ask questions.
Bonus: Once your internship is over, mail hand-written thank-you notes to each of your colleagues. Include personal ways that each of them added to your internship experience.
Your first internship will be just fine, so don’t stress out. Just remember these tips and you’ll be sure to stand out.
Nice Article! Very good information!