| Just as there are an
endless variety of careers and job positions, internships also come in
all different forms. Some internships last for a summer, others last
for an entire semester or even a year. Some internships are paid,
while others award course credit at your university. Some internships
demand a significant time commitment and a high level of
responsibility, while others do not. No matter what type or internship
you are involved in, it is your responsibility to make your internship
successful.
It is what you make
it
Most companies and
organizations who hire interns have a few set expectations of what an
intern should do in his or her position. That may mean answering
phones, organizing meetings or diving head first into company projects
and strategies. Even if you feel low on the totem pole, ask your
supervisor or coworkers if you can help on various projects in the
office. Be sure to get your work done first but also step out of your
comfort zone and ask to be included in tasks that are of interest to
you. Ask to tag along with a staff writer on an assignment and
transcribe his or her notes. Ask your boss if you can attend a
manager’s staff meeting to better understand the company’s long term
goals. Learn what projects your coworkers are working on and offer
your assistance. You may be assigned to coffee duty, but it is your
responsibility to speak up and politely ask to be involved.
Network
There is nothing
more valuable in the job search than networking. Since you’ve already
earned an internship opportunity, you have automatically boosted your
network of professional contacts. Get to know the people in your
department along with other people you work with. Ask them questions
and find out what they do each day. You will not only have others to
turn to when you are looking for a full-time job, but you may also
learn more about potential career opportunities. Be sure to add
coworkers on Facebook or LinkedIn so you can maintain your contacts
even after you finish your internship.
Take advantage of new
experiences
Beginning a new
internship can be scary for any college student. This may be the first
time that you have experienced a tense department meeting, had to work
the complicated office copier, been asked to work with a difficult
coworker or been assigned a job you know absolutely nothing about.
Relish these experiences and see each task as a stepping stone in your
career development. Even CEOs have to start somewhere and chances are,
they were just as clueless as you in the beginning. Ask lots of
questions and be confident in your skills. The company or organization
hired you for a reason so prove that they made the right pick when
they chose your resume.
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