No matter what field you’re in, internships are an easy way to get your foot in the door and gain valuable experiences! I completed three internships in fields such as PR, HR, and Marketing all with very different tasks, and took away some helpful tips you can use to succeed in any organization.
Within the first couple weeks, it’s important to:
- Understand the company’s culture
- Know your role
- Ask questions
Adapting to a new environment
Once you understand the company’s culture, you’ll have a better sense of your supervisor’s expectations. Knowing your role in the organization is important too. If you don’t know, just ask! Everyone drills it into you to ask questions, and I’m going to say it here too. While you might feel embarrassed, your supervisor would rather have you ask and know rather than waste time. This was something I STRUGGLED with. I learned quickly that questions are welcomed in any organization.
Once you’re settled, you should:
- Be confident
- Be assertive but not aggressive
- Welcome feedback and criticism
Dealing with the hard stuff
Another area a lot of people struggle with is confidence and assertiveness. I’ve been told by professors, supervisors and recruiters that students in college are often not nearly as assertive as they should be when entering the work force. You might think assertiveness is a negative trait, but it can be a great way to leave a positive impression. The Guardian further explains the benefits of being assertive. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/nov/19/students-assertive-enough.
Many students also lack confidence. Acting confident even if you don’t feel it can actually build your confidence and reassure you that you can handle the job with ease. Another big tip is learning how to ask for feedback and accepting criticism. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get everything right the first time. No one expects you to. Just learn from mistakes, make improvements and move on. If you are feeling discouraged, check out this article. http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/09/07/how-to-quickly-deal-with-discouragement/.
Be the person they think of
- Introduce yourself
- Get advice
- Network
Remain sociable
Get to know everyone at your internship! In bigger organizations, some people might not notice you, so make it a point to introduce yourself. Connect with coworkers on LinkedIn, keep in touch and send them a quick message at least once a year. Always go above and beyond when you can to set yourself apart.
Appreciate the experience
The most important tip is to have fun. If you dread going to your internship, you should talk to your supervisor and find out what you can do to make things better. Having an amazing experience is often one of the biggest goals of the organization and it should be one of yours as well. Following these tips can help anyone feel more comfortable at their internship. Once you get the swing of things yourself, you’ll develop tips that can help others too.
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