An internship as a college student might seem taunting since you are getting a taste of what your future could potentially look like in the workforce. The experiences you gain only helps better yourself as a candidate in the professional world. Here are ways to get the most out of your internship.
1. Keep ALL your work
Work samples prove what your skills are capable of. It is one thing to talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Getting a glimpse of how you perform with physical proof might just be your ticket to convince a future employer that YOU are the best option for a position.
2. Ask questions
Transitioning into a new work environment is not easy. You can’t expect to know everything. The best to familiarize yourself? ASK QUESTIONS! Unfortunately, asking questions gets a negative reputation but employers appreciate an employee who is willing to learn, rather than a know-it-all.
3. Bring sustenance
If you are scheduled to work early, it is easy to skip on breakfast because you are in such a rush. Once you settle into your desk, that is when hunger settles Starving yourself out of being unprepared isn’t worth it for your health and overall productivity. Whether it be throwing some bars into your purse or packing ingredients you can physically make in a workplace kitchen, anything is better than letting hunger distract you from performing to the best of your potential.
4. Pack different shoes
I personally like dressing up in the workplace – even if it means sacrificing my comfort by wearing heels. Pack flats for the walk there and the walk back. Wearing heels slows you down significantly when going from place to place. Not to mention rushing in heels might not be the most conventional. Save yourself the stress and pain!
5. Pack gum/mints
Whether it to give you a fresh pick me up after eating, or stop unwanted cravings from being bored, packing this will come in handy one way or another. Also having gum or mints helps on hand will help you make friends the same way it does in a classroom.
6. Use Google Docs
Balancing college and work is not an easy task. Sometimes both will have to overlap with each other in order to get everything done. Transfer content from your laptop to your work computer by saving it through Google Doc. Therefore, you can work on it wherever you go and be more discrete about it.
Work hard, play hard!