The semester is wrapping up and as you head off to your various summer experiences (internships, research) we wanted to share these tips to help you make the most of this valuable experience.
- Clarify expectations about the internship: both the employers and yours. It is a good idea to agree upon your job responsibilities in writing.
- Take advantage of the transition time at the beginning of your internship and ask lots of questions. You are not expected to know what is going on right away, but the faster you learn the ins and outs of daily life on the job, the better off you’ll be.
- Meet regularly with your supervisor to ensure that both of your expectations are being met. This is a good way for you to get feedback on your performance and helps to keep you on track with current and future assignments.
- First impressions are very important, as is maintaining good ones. It is important for you to dress, speak, write, and generally behave like a professional. Shake hands, make eye contact, smile, and be friendly and confident.
- Be observant and ask questions about appropriate behavior at the work place. Different organizations have different expectations regarding employee behavior and it is important that you learn about, and conform, to the corporate culture. This can include issues such as appropriate clothing, demeanor with customers, personal phone calls, and where to park your car. If you aren’t sure if it’s OK, ask first. When in doubt, err on the conservative side.
- Focus on your communication skills, both written and verbal. Proofread your written work carefully. When communicating with your coworkers choose respectful, tactful, and professional language at all times.
- Show up to work on time, when you are expected. Call if you are going to be sick or late. Don’t be sick or late often. Choose your sick days with care; it will be noticed if you are not at work on important days.
- Establish good relationships with your coworkers. Be friendly, polite, helpful, and sensitive. It’s good to talk with your coworkers and get to know them but beware of gossiping and complaining. Be careful about bringing personal business to work, and be sure that what you do discuss is fit for public consumption.
- Be easy to work with. Accept assignments without complaint, ask for more work when assignments are completed, and turn out good quality work. Listen carefully to instructions and ask for clarification. Learn to work as a team; be respectful of input from other team members and practice the art of compromising.
- Before you leave connect on LinkedIn to easily keep in touch with your new connections; consider asking your supervisor for a LinkedIn recommendation.
- Share your experience on social media! See if your company is using a special hashtag for their internship program (I know Comcast did this last summer) and use it to share your experience with others and get noticed…and while you are at it, use #Bucknellintern too so we can share your story too!
Stay in touch with us, use #Bucknellintern on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook and we can share your internship story.
P.S. Remember to take this survey and tell us what you are doing!