Your first internship will always be unforgettable. It’s the first time a company has given you the chance to put your foot in the door, it’s your first time joining the real world, and it’s the first time something on your resumé will actually look noteworthy. But what they don’t tell you, is that it’s the most intimidating experience ever (but still so fun)! If you’re the anxious type, you may not be able to sleep the night before because you’ll be jittery with nerves and the fear of failing. But, this is your first time—and failing is actually the most effective way to learn. “Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” Right?
Coming into your first internship, you’re going to have mixed emotions. You’re going to really believe your major courses have prepared you for this moment, yet at the same time you have no idea how to really do anything. The truth is, those intro classes you breezed through last semester, have nothing on a scary CEO who can walk all over you. You can only learn so much in a classroom before it’s time to apply it, so congrats on your first internship and roll with the punches!
Trust me when I say you are going to feel small. But we all do. Who cares if the only confidence booster you have is the tight pencil skirt and cute heels you bought with your mom for that first day; own it. You are at the bottom of the totem pole, along with thousands of collegiates who are in the exact same boat as you. You’ll feel unprepared, and spaz-ish, and you’re going to want to break down and cry in the office bathroom if you mess up—but just calm down. This internship is supposed to help you grow, and it is going to be scary since it is your first experience. After going through all of these emotions myself, here is some advice for college students concerning their first internship- told by Jenna Rink from 13 Going on 30.
Keep an open mind. Do not go into this internship thinking you are going to be Jenna Rink: “Big Time Magazine Editor” in the blink of an eye. You will be extremely disappointed. Do everything with a smile. You may feel like you’re learning absolutely nothing about your field while performing tasks that seem utterly pointless, but you are learning more than you think. Don’t feel used, this is how the real world operates! You might have to answer phones, order lunch, or do really silly tasks to just earn the respect of the higher-ups you are interning for, play the game. Keep an open mind that those tasks won’t last forever and eventually you will move up on the totem pole. Don’t let co-workers walk all over you to an extent, but just stay positive and absorb all that you can.
Be yourself. Don’t try to act too sophisticated, you don’t want to make a fool out of yourself. Stay professional while still keeping a young, fun personality. Everyone in the office knows you are an intern- AKA you have minimal experience, are probably still in college, and have a lot to learn. Hopefully you are interning with a company that will accept you for who you really are and will not test your integrity in any way, shape or form. Try to stray from your comfort zone while still maintaining your values and ethics. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get guidence. That’s why you are there! There’s no better way to shine light on your personality than breaking out in a ‘Thriller’ dance if all else fails.
Make initiative- Go above and beyond to ask for work if you aren’t busy, the more occupied you are, the more you will learn and have skills to bring to the table for your next internship. Taking initiative shows you are a go-getter and will make you stick out amongst the other interns, so ask for projects and busy work—chances are they would love that. If Eminem is on the phone and needs an answer now: pick plain or peanut!
Don’t be afraid- Expect the unexpected! No internship will be exactly alike, your bosses will vary greatly, and your job might not be what you anticipated. Try to control your nerves and be unafraid! There’s nothing to be afraid of anyways. Internships are meant to be a learning experience to see if this is what you actually want to be doing later on. You really don’t need a fluffy pillow and glass of water!
Make connections and stay connected. Have zero shame in adding your fellow co-workers on LinkedIn, asking for a letter of recommendation at the end, and participating in company lunches. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. These people you’re meeting at the beginning stages of your career are vital! Go to lunch with them, make small talk with someone you’ve never talked to before. Hopefully you will get a rockin’ reference letter and can come back to the company after you graduate and have accumulated more knowledge like look at me now!
Good luck on your first internship. Always remember they are granting you an opportunity to learn from their company, so be nice and be grateful for every experience! Oh, and you don’t need to ask if you can go to the bathroom. Go get em.’
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