Walking in on the first day of a new internship can feel overwhelming, stressful, and exciting all at the same time. It’s an opportunity to learn and grow both personally and professionally, but it can definitely feel daunting in the beginning when so much new information is being thrown your way. Here are some key tips to help ease your way into your new position.
First off, always dress for your day. On your first day, you want to come in looking professional and ready to impress anyone you meet. This will help with networking and making a strong first impression. Once you get a sense of the company’s dress code, you can adjust accordingly. For my internship, on days when I didn’t have important meetings or on casual Fridays, I could wear jeans with a nice shirt. But on days when I needed to present or meet with people, I made sure to dress up. It may seem like a small tip, but it really goes a long way in helping you present yourself well to everyone you interact with.
Next, be open to stepping outside of your comfort zone. There’s a lot of information to absorb, all while learning how to complete your assigned projects. You’ll need to reach out and connect with people you’ve never met before. Not only will this help you build your network, but it also gives you access to more resources and support during the learning curve of your role. Remember, most people are feeling the same way when they start. Internships aren’t about knowing everything right away; they’re about being willing to learn and grow.
That leads into my next point: be coachable and open to feedback. Feedback is a crucial part of the internship experience. It might not always feel great in the moment, but it’s there to help you improve and develop as a stronger employee. Take the time to really listen to what others are saying and try to apply it to your work. Being coachable means showing a willingness to learn from others and striving to become the best version of yourself. At the end of the day, feedback is a gift that will help you grow, whether that leads to a return offer or simply a stronger skill set.
Lastly, and maybe most importantly, be confident and learn to be okay with failure. This was a tough lesson for me and something I’m still working on. It’s hard to feel confident in your work when you’re still figuring things out and don’t always know exactly what you’re doing. But you’ve worked hard to get there, so be proud of the effort you’re putting in. During my internship, I was told that failure is actually expected. You need to fail in order to grow. Failure teaches you what doesn’t work and how to fix it. Sometimes, failing is even more valuable than constantly checking if your work is right because it pushes you to problem-solve independently and learn how to succeed in your role without needing constant direction.
All of these tips will help you build a strong foundation for any type of role you take on in the future. Remember that this is a time to gain experience, and although it may feel stressful at times, make sure to take it all in. Learn as much as you can, have fun, meet new people, and walk away with a whole new set of skills.