After all the late-night study hours and grueling exams, you applied for your dream internship and got it. Congratulations, you should celebrate the start of a great career. After the celebrations, you will need to sit down and do some contemplating. How you start a race is crucial but more important is how you run and finish it. If you want to grow from an intern to an expert in your field, you need to make the most of your internship experience.
You are now heading into the corporate world, which is different from what you may have known before. Your demeanor, fashion, expectations, and lifestyle are about to change. Rather than fear the change, prepare for it and embrace it.
Dress to Impress
Clothes are an important part of your persona, especially when you want to make a good first impression. So stock up on clothing beforehand, get some business casual outfits that are comfortable, and invest in comfortable but work-appropriate shoes. You never know how long you will spend on your feet; even a desk job requires walking from office to office, so get comfortable shoes if you don’t want an injury.
Every workplace has a dress code; most of the time, figuring it out is relatively easy. Ask your supervisor if there is a dress code. If you can’t reach your supervisor, try to remember what your interviewers were wearing when you met them, along with what others in the office were wearing.
If that doesn’t work, keep in mind that it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Although both scenarios may be embarrassing, it’s always better to arrive in your best suit to find a casual wear environment than to wear casual clothes and find yourself in a very formal setting.
Understanding the business casual and casual work outfits is nuanced. Since there is no fixed definition, it can become frustrating for a newbie to understand. Makeup is also another issue that you may have trouble with. When in doubt, try to keep your look clean, polished, and classy.
Ask Questions
An internship is an opportunity for you to learn real-world applications to what you learned. The company created an internship program to teach you what you can’t get in a classroom. So don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You can prepare straightforward, thought-provoking, conversation-starting questions before meetings. Find people you can turn to in the company to help you. It’s in nobody’s interest for you to be lost, so at the very least, you will have a senior staff member to guide you, if not an entire team. Remember, everyone’s time is valuable, so your questions need to reflect that. When you ask the right questions, you get to learn and stand out in a meeting.
Have the Right Materials
From preschool to the college campus, you had a bunch of essentials that you would pack in your bag; work is not different. You need to prepare and have all the resources you may need. This includes things like a water bottle to keep you hydrated, a beauty bag to freshen up, or a comfortable pair of shoes. You will also need a professional bag to carry all of it in.
You will also need the tools of your trade and work accessories like pens, note pads, and a computer. Your computer is an essential tool for work so ensure that it is in top condition at all times. Look for onsite Mac repair if an unexpected issue comes up.
Network With Everyone
An internship is a chance for you to explore the professional world under the guidance of experts. As you enter the professional world, you will need people to fill your professional circle, and you do that with networking. Your professional network will include co-workers, business partners, and customers.
It would be best if you had mentors and partners in the workplace to introduce you to new ways of thinking or skills. Having a relationship with your co-workers will also help you define and change your career path for the better. For example, you may be interested in banking broadly but find that you are more interested in the loans division. Your network will be the difference between insights and opportunities that can lead to promotions or new business in any profession.
It Starts with an Internship
An internship is a good launching pad for your career. Get into it with the right attitude and an open mind to make the most of it. Make sure you go to work fully prepared for anything that may come your way and make the most of the experience.
