How To Get The Most Out Of Your Internship Experience
Hey everyone! Just to remind you guys, my name is Margo and I currently intern at Harmelin Media as a Media Planner. But this post isn’t about my personal experience, instead, I’d like to share my 5 best tips on how to get the most out of your internship. I know there have been numerous articles on this topic, but please bear with me and hopefully, you’ll learn something new!
Tip #1: HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
This one might sound like nothing new, but I believe that is always very important to know in advance what are you about to get into. Research the company, office culture, potential projects you might be working on and be prepared for what’s going to come. Another good way would be to ask (during the interview even) something along the lines of “What would be my typical day-to-day at your company?”. Coming in with realistic expectations will keep you grounded and you won’t get upset if things don’t go as you initially expected.
Tip #2: ALWAYS ASK FOR FEEDBACK
Trust me, no one is going to find it odd if you ask about your progress once in a while. Moreover, I am sure the people will appreciate your desire to learn and improve, and value you as an intern even more. You should never stop learning and moving forward, and asking for feedback is an excellent way to do so.
Tip #3: DRESS TO IMPRESS
Even though some companies in our industry may enforce a pretty casual dress code, it will never hurt to dress up more conservatively. Somebody once told me that you should be dressed as your boss or your boss’s boss; while I can’t entirely agree with such statement there is definitely truth to it. People tend to take others seriously if they are dressed appropriately and you should be following this example.
Tip #4: BE VERY POLITE
I know this may sound like something obvious and nothing to do with an internship, but a simple “thank you” can really go a long way. Nobody should ever feel shy about doing good or saying good, just spread those positive vibes and I can guarantee you it won’t get overlooked. You will be spending a big chunk of your day in the office and why not make the experience pleasant and welcoming to everybody including yourself?
Tip #5: BUILD PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Some people may feel more comfortable to dive deep into work and not interact with others in the office, but it would be very beneficial for those to get out of their comfort zone and go and meet people. I am sure you all know how important networking is, so look at your internship as potential networking time! Enhancing your professional development is crucial while climbing your career ladder and there a perfect opportunity to do so while you’re an intern.
