HOW TO HAVE A
SUCCESSFUL INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Be Professional

Your internship may lead to full-time employment at your internship site. Even if it doesn’t, you should strive to make a good impression on your internship supervisor; he or she can provide valuable references or an outstanding letter of recommendation. Treat this experience as a “real” job by always behaving professionally.

• Arrive on time and offer to stay late if there is work to be done.
• Avoid missing work at all costs. If you must take time off, ask for your supervisor’s permission beforehand.
• Dress like an employee, not an intern. Whether you’re an intern or an employee, it’s a good idea to dress for the position you want, not the position you have.

Make the Most of this Opportunity

You won’t often get the chance to have almost unlimited access to an organization’s inner workings. Even employees are usually limited to their department, while as an intern you may be able to work with several departments.

• Establish relationships with your supervisor and coworkers. Ask questions; don’t be intimidated because you’re an intern. Your supervisors and coworkers understand you’re there to learn, so take advantage of their knowledge.
• Take on additional responsibilities. Employers value employees who demonstrate motivation and initiative, so look for ways to stand out from the crowd.
• Ask your internship supervisor for feedback, and don’t be defensive if he or she offers suggestions. Stand tall and learn from your mistakes.
• If you’ve enjoyed your internship and would like to work at the site, tell this to your supervisor. Even if they don’t have an opening, they’ll appreciate your sentiments and possibly consider you when a position does appear. Be sure to request a letter of recommendation. Maintain relationships with your internship supervisors and employment supervisors because networking is the most effective job search strategy.
• Save copies of completed projects (with permission of course) to put in your portfolio or demonstrate during employment interviews.

Have a Positive Attitude

You’re a full-time student, you may be working full-time, you probably have a family, chores, and, perhaps, a social life! So working for free may not be a high priority for you. But it’s essential to approach your internship as if it were a real job. And if it were a real job, you would be expected to have a good attitude.

• Don’t complain about menial tasks; all internships have some unfavorable duties. Even menial tasks can teach you something. For instance, read what you’re making copies of and try to determine their part in the overall picture. Approaching your work enthusiastically may lead your supervisor to believe that you’re ready for more responsibility. Of course, if you’re not being challenged as much as you should be, you can request more responsibilities.
• Be courteous to everyone you meet, including clients and other interns. Your supervisor will likely pay attention to your interpersonal skills, so be thankful to the janitor who empties the shredder bin.
• Never get involved in office gossip! You will eventually work with someone who is rude, obnoxious, or lazy, but don’t cave in to the temptation of discussing this coworker with others. It may be hard to bite your tongue, but it’s worth it. Everyone knows who the company gossiper is, and you don’t want it to be you!
• Avoid talking negatively about former employers or coworkers, or your school. Abide by the old saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” Nobody likes a whiner, and your supervisor will assume you’ll complain about him or her too.

Take Care of Yourself

You won’t be valuable to an internship site if you have a mental breakdown, so pay attention to signals that you need a break. Here are some tips to avoid going over the edge.

• Schedule at least a half hour a day of physical exercise. Burning off energy is a great stress reliever, so take a walk at lunchtime, go for a jog first thing in the morning, or chase your kids around the house after school.
• Eat three balanced meals a day, limit your caffeine intake, and avoid alcohol.
• Get together with other interns and debrief. Talk (confidentially, of course!) about the challenges and rewards of your internships. Share tips for managing school, work, internships and family.
• Schedule time with family and friends who support your efforts in improving your lot in life. Limit the amount of time you spend with negative, pessimistic people.
• Give yourself credit for a job well done. Remind yourself that your hectic schedule is temporary. Keep in mind the potential rewards of your efforts: a full-time job with benefits in a career you love.
• If you’re feeling stressed out, make an appointment to talk to a counselor at the Counseling and Career Development Center in Jamestown (716-338-1000 ext. 2302) or the Counseling and Career Planning Center (716-376-7500 ext. 7508.) This is a free and confidential service, all the counselors have master’s degrees, and they are happy to help.

YOU CAN DO IT!

Contact the Career and Counseling Center near you!