As second semester progresses and summer break is looming ahead of us, the time for summer internships is approaching. Some may even be in the midst of an internship if they’re ahead of the game! It is often the case that we experience that boring unpaid internships that consists of fetching coffee, answering the phone, and or just sitting around. Here are a few tips to make that time worthwhile and survivable!
Keep an open mind.
The most important thing to remember throughout the whole process is to be open about the opportunity that is available to you. An internship is a great experience to have when entering the job market. Be open to trying new things, meeting new people, and learning something new everyday. Even though it may be how to make a cappuccino for your hardworking coworkers or learning how to properly fax something to the office next door, be open to it all!
Think of it as a chance to network.
Internships are such a great chance to network and expand your pool of possible employers. If you are having a difficult time connecting with the immediate people around, go next door and introduce yourself. Internships allow you to meet new people and hopefully get a job out of it in the future. If you take full advantage of this opportunity, the internship is bound to be a success no matter! Everything is just a stepping-stone to where you want to be!
Be Proactive.
Always try and be one step ahead of what is asked of you. If you are given an assignment that seems mundane, still put all of your effort into it. This will show the employer that you really care about what you are doing and allows them to see what you are capable of. Also, if you have nothing to do, ask if anyone in the office needs help with anything, or an even better idea, create your own project! Not only will this give you bonus points with your boss, but it will help the time go by much faster!
Remain Positive.
Something to really consider when having an internship, is how lucky you are to have been given this opportunity. Not everyone has the chance to intern at an amazing company or in their desired field, so it is vital to always remain positive. This will help you get through the long days and just remember, always have a smile on your face no matter how tired or bored you are!
Think of it as a resume builder.
If it is as boring as you really think it is, think of it as something new to put on your resume, something that not everyone else had. It is always great to be able to add something new to your resume, even if you did not enjoy it. When asked about in future interviews, keep your description vague and positive to allow future employers to understand your experience in the best way possible.
Take the time to look for new upcoming opportunities.
When not doing anything, it is great to look for new opportunities in the job market. I cannot even count the times I’ve searched for new jobs while at my internship. The time will go by even faster when thinking about the future!
Refresh the news feeds.
I remember my first day at my internship; all I did was read CNN and The Washington Post all day because there was nothing to do. I remembering thinking, “Wow I’m off to a great start.” But I honestly can’t express how great this is because I became so much more aware of what was happening and though it dragged the day along, I learned a lot!
Various bathroom breaks.
There is nothing like getting up every half hour to go the bathroom just to make the day seem shorter. It may seem silly, but it really works! Your coworkers may start to think that you have a bladder issue, but you get some exercise and your day is broken up into small increments. Trust me, this really works!
Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7