July is quickly coming to an end, and before we know it, we will be back at school for our last year of college. Senior year is finally a reality. Now, let’s not get caught up in the “this is our last year” talk. Instead, I’m going to rewind back to October. This was the time when we were awkwardly talking to company representatives at career fairs, sending out resumes in mass numbers to companies, and having phone interviews every other week. Let’s be real, NOBODY likes going through this. On top of all of our schoolwork, activities, and other obligations, we are expected to find an internship. I, a Finance and International Business major, was hoping to find a job within these two fields. There is this expectation that we are to instantly figure out what we want to do and who we want to be. Meanwhile, we are screaming inside, “I’m only twenty one or twenty two years old! How am I supposed to know what I want to do?!” I will be the first one to admit, up until second semester of junior year, I had no idea what I was going to do for summer.
The prized job title after being offered an internship
It wasn’t until March that my path towards my career began. I was offered to be an intern in the treasury management department at a bank in Chicago. Words cannot describe how excited I was. After my initial reaction of excitement and joy, I realized that I had no idea what treasury management was. I’ve never heard of it until I saw it in my offer letter. That’s when I knew that my summer at the bank would be a learning experience from day one. I made a mental note to myself for the first day of my job to ask exactly what treasury management does.
Flash forward: It has been two months since I’ve been working at the bank. I’ve been extremely fortunate that everyone I work with is more than willing to help and reach out to me. Everyone I have met has given me great advice on how to advance in my future. So. Here are 6 important things that I have learned and will stay with me for years to come:
1) Ask questions. A family friend, who also works at the bank, told me, “Don’t let any question you have go unasked. If you can’t ask it right away, write it down and ask someone when they are available.” This is one the most important things that I have learned. When you don’t ask, you waste time trying to find the answer yourself. Most importantly, if you don’t ask, you look uninterested in what you are doing. No question is a dumb question, even if your question is as simple as how to copy something. You would look silly standing in front of the copy machine just pressing random buttons hoping that’ll work. Just ask. Someone is always willing to help. Side note, I did learn on the first day what treasury management does. So, I’ll give you the most basic definition of it. Treasury management is responsible for managing companies’ accounts with the bank.
When you don’t understand your project and ask for help
2) Ask for more work. The entire reasoning behind having an internship is to learn, right? Always show that you are eager to take on whatever project or task you are asked to do. Once you are done with it, double, (no, triple-check) your work before handing it in. It’s not going to be perfect, and no one is expecting perfection. People are looking for your eagerness to learn. Always ask how you can improve. Once you have completed a project, ask for another. This shows that you are interested in your job. If there is something specific that you want to learn, don’t hesitate to ask. There will always be someone to teach and show you how to do it. Another reason as to why you should ask for more work is because you’ll have something to do with your time. Ask any intern, nothing is worse than sitting at your desk during the day with nothing to do. I have great managers and other workers who always have something for me to do. Yes, even filing.
What not to do at your desk
3) Get to know people. A huge part of your work experience is getting know the people who you are working with. I’m not saying you need to be best friends with everyone on your floor, but start to get to know people on a personal level. Ask where they went to school, how they got started with their careers, their families, sports, etc. Everyone loves to take a little break during their day and have a conversation. It is encouraged to get to know people outside of the office. The other interns at the bank and I have gotten to know each other by going out to lunch and to social events after work. Who knows, you may even make a good friend out of it.
4) Networking is key. As interns at the bank, we are highly encouraged, even stressed, to network within and outside the bank. It’s so important to go meet people from different areas. Not only are you creating a work relationship with someone, you are also opening the door to new opportunities. You may meet someone who has a career that intrigues you. Never shoot down an opportunity to talk to someone new because you never know what you will take away from it. I have been very fortunate that my networking began before working at the bank because of a family friend, and I learned that two alumnae from Saint Mary’s work here as well. (Go Belles!)
What you say when you are networking
5) It’s much more than that fulltime offer. I recently learned a very important lesson from a very smart and wise person at the bank. I learned that yes, being offered a fulltime job at the end of summer is a wonderful thing to happen to anyone. However, what most people don’t realize is that being offered a job is so much more than your job title, money, and being able to start off senior year with a job offer. It is finding a foundation for your career and life. No matter where you want to work, you want to be able to find a job and place where you can grow to have the career you’ve always wanted. Your internship or first job will help guide you to find a job and company where you want to start your journey to success.
6)You’re going to be surrounded by food. On my first day, I was warned that my department is notorious for people bringing in treats for everyone. We all know about gaining the freshmen 15 during college, but no one gives you the heads up about work. I kid you not, in one week alone, people brought Dunkin’ Donuts, Corner Bakery sandwiches, and Einstein’s Bagels. Talk about needing to hit the gym. Even if your department doesn’t have food, people always want to go out for lunch. Especially being in Chicago, there’s always a restaurant or food truck that you want to try out. Food is the perfect example of there is too much of a good thing. So, try to find the willpower to say no that box of doughnuts that is calling your name.
When you eat, not one but a few, chocolate doughnuts during the day
If you’re unable to remember three of my six suggestions for internships, or work in general, then at least remember the words of Woody Allen:
“eighty percent of success is showing up.”
Cover photo / Photo 1, GIF 1, GIF 2, GIF 3, GIF 4
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