Internships can be scary, especially if it’s your first time working in the industry. If you’re anything like me, you’re all sorts of nervous before starting something new. But do not fret! There are a few super easy tricks you can use to absolutely SLAY your job!
Always Be 5-10 Minutes Early
Punctuality is super important in the real world, and showing up a little bit early makes a really good impression. It not only shows that you’re responsible, but that you care about your job and actually want to be there!
No Matter What Happens, Face It with a Positive Attitude
Let’s be real, here. You’re going to be asked to do some boring, tedious, downright awful tasks that nobody else wants to do. It may suck, but showing that you’re willing to do whatever jobs that need done – and doing them well, of course – shows that you’re competent and trustworthy. I was once asked to work in a different department (that I knew absolutely nothing about) because someone decided not to show up that day. Although it was probably the worst day I had during my internship, my boss thanked me profusely for taking care of it.
Keep a Small Notebook at Hand to Write Down What You’re Doing and Why It’s Important.
The whole point of doing an internship is to gain experience (alongside college credit) and to learn about your job and the industry as a whole. Writing down each task you complete and figuring out why it matters will help you understand so much more about your field, how and why it works the way it does.
Always Follow Directions and Ask Questions If Something is Unclear
This tip seems obvious, but I can’t stress enough how important it is. If you don’t know an answer on a test, you can guess and chances are you’ll be fine, but if you’re unsure about something in the workplace, always ask for clarification! Doing things the way they want them done is super important. You never want to take a guess at something and assume it’ll be okay. Because if you’re wrong, your boss gets in trouble with their boss, and if they get in trouble, you’ll get in trouble. Yikes!
Get Rid of Any Distractions and Stay Focused on Your Work
My boss was extremely impressed by how fast and efficient I was with the tasks she gave me, and she was constantly thanking me for getting so much done. Put your phone away for the day, only stay on websites you need to use, do anything to stay focused! Find what works for you, and do it. That way you can do your absolute best.
Double Check ALL of Your Work
Speaking of doing your best, never put any less than 110% into whatever you’re doing. Sometimes when you’re doing some boring task, autopilot kicks in and you completely forget what you were doing. You wake up ten minutes later and you’re like, “Did I even do this right?” This is why it’s important to double check your work. Like I said, if you mess up, you’re in trouble, so taking a minute to look over what you did is totally worth it!
Check in With Your Boss at the End of Each Day to See If They Need Anything Else Before You Leave.
In my experience, they’ll usually say no and you can be on your way, but taking the time to ask shows that you’re eager to help out and do a great job. Plus, if they do need something else, you’ll get major brownie points for doing a little extra that day, especially if you end up taking some work home with you!
Now that you have these tricks up your sleeves, you’ll be ready for anything your internship throws at you. Go forth and conquer, my friends!