How to be the best intern

Internships have become a necessary part for college students that are serious about their careers. For me, I learn by doing, so they are even more crucial because I need that hands-on experience to feel I have truly learned, and hopefully mastered, something. However, internships can be tough, really tough.

I decided to put together some tips for those of you starting on your internship experience (and those of you already in them.) I used my own experiences and also asked some of my friends for their advice on how to be the best intern possible. Here is what we came up with:

1. Arrive early and leave late. You should be in before your boss in the morning, and already be hard at work by the time your boss arrives. You want them to know how much you want to be there and how hard you are willing to work to prove it. Don’t just leave when all of your work is done, see if there is anything else you can help with or another project that you can begin.

2. Ask intelligent questions. There is such thing as a dumb question, whoever told you there wasn’t is wrong. If you’re wondering about how to do something or what you should do next, see if you can figure it out on your own first, if there is another intern, ask them if they know how before going to your boss. Some questions you won’t be able to figure out, and that’s okay, that’s why you have a boss, but many of them you will be able to figure out on your own.

3. Listen & take notes. Once you have asked your intelligent question, make sure you pay careful attention to what your boss is telling you. Every time you meet with your boss you should have a pen and paper in hand to take notes or write down your next task. This lets them know that you are taking this internship seriously and are absorbing what you are being told.

4. Dress appropriately. Too many times I was on the subway this past summer heading to my internship and would see someone heading to their internship or job in an outfit that looked more like they should be heading out for the night, not heading into the office. Skirts and dresses shouldn’t be skin tight or too short, if you wear it when you go out at night, it probably has no place for being worn to the office. You’ve all heard it before, dress for the job you want.

5. Texting & Social Media policies, follow them. Make sure you are aware of the rules for phone use at the office, typically the rule of thumb is no use (this includes texting) except for lunch. (side note: you may not get a lunch break so be prepared and bring something you can eat quickly at your desk.) If you are waiting for an important call of are having an emergency, let your boss know when they arrive so they don’t think you are slacking off and stealing company time (even if it is an unpaid internship.) Company computers and devices should never be used for personal email, social media or anything of the sort, work only, regardless of the policy.

6. Attitude is everything. Your attitude will let people know a lot about you, good and bad. Always be positive at work, don’t complain about long hours, work assignments, co-workers, etc. The people you work with have a lot of influence, think future job opportunities and references. So stay positive and keep an upbeat attitude at all times.

7. Personal life shouldn’t enter work life. If you’re having a bad day personally, if you and your boyfriend are in a fight, if your best friend and you went out too late last night, check it at the door before you walk in the office. When you come in, no one should be able to tell that you’re having personal issues, whatever they may be, you’re at work, be professional and positive. This still applies when you have work friends, at the office, you need to keep it PG.

8. Drinking. Often times there will be work dinners or work outings, or casual drinks with people at your office. For starters, if you’re not 21 you shouldn’t be drinking, I don’t care if your parents let you or you don’t get carded, you’re under 21, no drinking. For all of us over 21 people, you should be drinking the least amount of anyone there. Drinking too much is not going to end well at all. Be responsible, it will reflect on how they view you. (p.s. drink lots of water while at work, it will help you to stay awake better than coffee will.)

9. Learn to prioritize. A lot of times there will be an overwhelming amount of work for you to get done and a deadline looming overhead. Figure out what is the most important task or tasks and get those done first. Organize your time and stay on task. Showing that you can handle a large work load without getting stressed is key to showing your boss that you could handle a full-time job with ease.

10. Don’t be afraid to pitch an idea. This may be really scary at first, and you may get rejected, but that’s about the worst thing that can happen. If you came up with a great new way to market your company or a more efficient way for everyone in the office to be on the same page, don’t be afraid to pitch it to your boss. Showing them you can think for yourself and are working towards the same goal as the company, not just for getting an internship out of the way, will really give you credibility.

Got it? Good. Now, when you head into your internship remember these tips and make sure you’re being responsible. If you’re ever not sure what you should do, put yourself in your bosses shoe’s and ask yourself what they would want you to do or how they would handle the situation. Now go out and kick butt!