This past summer was the first summer that I stayed in the city. It was also the first time I had a real internship. I had small virtual internships, but this summer I got to get up and go to work for a real company. As a college student, there’s so much pressure to get an internship and to get that valuable work experience that is so sought after by employers. There is much to learn from a “first internship”, but I rounded up the five most meaningful lessons I learned this summer.
1. Be Curious
Ask questions and actually learn about your company and your position. It’s easy to just go to work every day, but going above and beyond not only makes you look good, it also benefits you in the long run. You’re there to get valuable work experience, so ask all the questions you can now.
2. Be Respectful
This goes without saying, but there’s more to it than not telling the CEO of your company that he has bad breath. Be respectful of your fellow interns and of the company itself. Show up early and stay late if you have to. Show that you actually care.
3. Fake it, if you have to
I’d be lying if I said every internship experience is a great one. Sometimes you just realize that what you thought you wanted to do really isn’t for you or maybe you dislike the company. If for whatever reason you don’t like your internship, try your hardest to hide it or at least do your best possible work. You don’t want to be the “bad” intern.
4. Do more
This is something everyone who has ever had an internship will tell you, you have to do more. Sometimes your supervisor won’t give you a lot to do and you are left with two options. You can stare at your computer screen until you have to leave or you can ask someone else for more work. I worked at a very small company and those people wear a lot of hats. They can always use an extra hand. It makes you look like you care and are interested in the work you are doing which is bonus points for you.
5. Learn from your mistakes
If you’re a perfectionist like me, failure is extremely difficult. I’m just starting to learn after 20 years that failure is okay and can be a good thing. It makes you stronger and smarter, two things we all want to be. If you made a mistake at your internship or anywhere, take a step back and really think about it. Life is one big learning experience and you’re still in the beginning of it.
Always remember to take everything you can from each of your internships. This is the one time in your life where you’re able to actually try a place out without committing to work there. If you work hard and show that you care, you’ll be well on your way to your dream job, or even your dream internship