Making Your Internship Memorable

As the summer months are approaching, many college students across the country are gearing up for summer internships.  The industries receiving them run the gamut – government, nonprofit, healthcare, education, retail, consulting, technology, engineering, advertising/media/public relations, financial services, and the list continues.  Regardless of the industry, there are best practices that every intern can apply to ensure a rewarding experience for both herself and the employer.  Consider the following:

• Arrive to work on time. Many students will travel to unfamiliar locations for their internship.  It is highly suggested that a student take a “mock commute” to work before their first day to gauge travel time.  Whether carpooling, public transportation, or persona l vehicle, methods of transportation have their own set of dynamics depending on the location of your internship.
• Clarify the dress code before arriving to work on your first day. Ask for specific examples if someone tells you “business casual.”  Pay attention to how your supervisor dresses.  Never make assumptions regarding the dress code.
• Ask your supervisor what is customary in how interns should address company employees (first name, Mr. or Ms.)
• Clarify your goals and objectives for the summer with your supervisor. Solicit frequent feedback to assess your performance.  Never sit around idle if you complete your assigned task early.  Ask for additional things to do.
• Do not treat company e-mail correspondence like text messaging on your cell phone. In a professional environment, the King’s English is the order of the day.
• Limit social media to your lunch hour or scheduled breaks.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions about things you don’t understand. It is totally acceptable and expected.
• Cultivate meaningful professional relationships with ALL levels of people in the organization. The administrative assistant of a senior executive can be a worthy ally in scheduling a meeting with that executive.
• Communicate to your supervisor any problems or challenges you are having. If that is uncomfortable, consider speaking with a counselor at the Career Planning and Development office.  The staff is available to provide coaching during the summer even when you are away from campus.
• Approach ALL tasks with a positive attitude. “Grunt work” is a normal part of everyday work and the learning process.

Following these simple steps can set the stage for a positive internship experience that will reflect well on your resume.  – Harold Bell is director of Career Planning and Development at Spelman College