Monday, August 19, 2013

8 Tips For Starting Your Internship Off Right

Here are some things to remember on the first day of internships:

Be physically and mentally ready. 
Keep your energy up by getting plenty of sleep and eating a good breakfast. Learn the dress code before you get there and follow it. Keep in mind that interns who dress for higher-level positions might be looked at more seriously. Come in with a positive and excited attitude.

Get there early. 
It’s a simple step to starting the internship on a good note. Fifteen minutes before work starts is probably enough time to get situated. Plus, you’ll make a strong impression on your manager.

Come prepared. 
Do all of the research you can before you even arrive at your internship. Find out about the company, employees, and anything else you think is relevant. Retain what you can. It’s also important to anticipate paperwork. The first day at any job will be filled with it. Bring your driver’s license, social security card, and anything else you might need to help you fill things out.

Take lots of notes.  
Bring a pad of paper and get ready to write everything down. The first day of your internship will be full of information, so write it all down to help you remember it all. Write down instructions, as well as other details. Pay attention to how your co-workers prefer to communicate, the preferred writing style for your assignments, and other things that come up. You’ll be able to access it all later, when it becomes relevant. Plus, interns who take notes leave a good impression on managers.

Ask questions.  
Your supervisors will throw tons of information at you on your first day. They know they are doing this, so it’s okay to ask them to slow down or repeat something. Asking questions will allow you to learn how to do things the right way, rather than having to redo things because you missed the instructions. Interns who ask lots of questions demonstrate their critical thinking skills, which will impress managers.

Meet new people.  
Depending on the internship, you may only work directly with a supervisor and a few other interns. Don’t let this stop you from meeting other interesting people in the organization. Go out of your way to introduce yourself to lots of people in the organization. Learn their names and roles, and form relationships with them. Networking during an internship is never a bad thing.

Do more than is asked of you. 
Show your managers that you mean business by going above and beyond, especially when you’re new. If your manager asks for two examples, provide three. If you find yourself with nothing to do, ask for another assignment. Not only will you be busy learning new things, but also you will impress your managers this way.

Speak up. 
If the opportunity presents itself, volunteer your opinion or your skills. If your managers want suggestions on a project, speak up. If they want volunteers for an extra assignment, volunteer. Taking initiative when you are given opportunities to do so shows your managers you are a valuable member of the team.


What else should interns remember on the first day of their internship?

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