Freaked out by the prospect of your first internship? Don't worry. Impressing employers is nothing
compared to impressing admissions officers. (For starters, employers
don't make you jump through hoops of fire, a rumored requirement of
admission to Yale.) This summer, you can keep your boss happy and get
the most out of your internship, by following some of these tips:
Do the job right. The
most important rule when completing work-related tasks is also the
simplest: follow directions. That might seem like a no-brainer, but
you'd be surprised how easy it is to get things wrong. To prevent
mistakes, make sure you write down all relevant instructions as they're
being given to you. If you want to go above and beyond your requested
duties, make sure your overachievement is welcome. It's better to give
your boss what was asked for than to turn in a massive project no one
has time to evaluate.
Introduce yourself. Try to meet everyone in the office and learn
their names. Find out what each of their roles and responsibilities
are. Not only will this give you insight into the way your company
works, you might also pick up a few extra projects along the way.
Remember, an internship also offers you the unique opportunity to
interact with people from different age groups and backgrounds. Take
advantage of your time at work, because it's a rare chance to get
perspective of life outside of high school.
Be prepared. Don't get caught empty-handed. CollegeJolt tells interns, "Whenever your boss calls you into their office,
go in with a pen and paper. NEVER go in their office without a pen and
paper. This shows that you take your job seriously and that you begin
each task with a sense of urgency and importance.
Work hard. Sure,
you may be relegated to the copy machine most of the summer, but no
matter what task you're assigned, it's important to complete it to the
best of your ability. Stop thinking of an internship as busy work and
start seeing it as a chance to prove yourself. A strong work ethic and
positive attitude are integral to making a good impression on your
higher-ups. That, in turn, motivates them to expand your
responsibilities, thus giving you more career experience.
Seize opportunity. Sometimes, proving yourself means taking matters into your own hands. Lindsey Pollack says, "Asking, “What is a good thing for me
to work on when you’re busy and I have nothing specific to do?” shows
that you are a go-getter who wants to contribute and learn as much as
possible. And, you may get assigned a cool project that no one else was
smart enough to ask for—something that you can highlight on your résumé
and promote in future job interviews."
Be curious. Express your enthusiasm by asking questions and
volunteering for interesting tasks. Y-pulse advises, "Ask around
anytime [you] hear about a meeting or event happening that [you] find
even remotely interesting."