The summer internship season is fast approaching. For college students, summer internships are vital to getting their foot in the door in their industry of choice. It’s an invaluable experience that can lead to a potential job if you play your cards right. Before you start your summer internship, here are some tips that’ll help make you a superstar intern in the workplace.
Your interview may feel like it was ages ago, but all of the information you learned about your position such as what your job duties are, who you will work with, and what your goals and the company’s goals are, are all important information you should not have forgotten. Re-familiarize yourself with the company again by looking at the company’s website and their social media to refresh your memory on the names of your supervisors.
You want to be an intern that is an expert in the field you’re working in. Even if your major differs from your desired field, you can grow your knowledge by looking at relevant publications, connecting with the top professionals in your field by following them on Twitter and catching up on the latest news on what’s happening in it.
College students today are viewed as being the experts on social media. If you have resisted Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, and Facebook, it’s time to finally hop on the bandwagon. Chances are your coworkers and supervisor are going to look to you for ideas on how to better improve their social media outreach, as social media is becoming more important than ever before for business.
Another important thing to consider is dress code. At the job interview, they probably told you what the dress code was. If this is your first office job, it’s time to buy a new work wardrobe because you won’t be able to wear the sweatpants that you like to walk around campus in. Having at least three good outfits that you can mix and match is a good start. Don’t forget the shoes, and for women, having a good work bag is a good investment for future jobs.
Finally, if your internship is unpaid, start planning out a budget now. Plan out how much money you’ll have every month in the summer for rent, utilities, food, transportation and the occasional night out. Be honest about how much money you have and will need and then start figuring out just how much you can save or spend. You might find out that you’ll need a weekend or part time job to supplement your income.
Starting an internship can be both exciting and terrifying. Young job seekers may feel that they aren’t qualified or may not fit in. Internship programs are typically set up to teach you and guide you through your time at the organization, they don’t expect you to know everything. They do expect you to ask questions and to be an enthusiastic learner and worker. Go in the first day prepared and ready for whatever may come.
How are you getting yourself ready for your summer internship? Tell us below!
IMAGE: Courtesy of Flickr by ralph and jenny
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