Watching your Wallet: How to make the most of your summer internship or job
Here we are, nearing the end of yet another school year. For those of you with a few connections, ambition and luck, you may have caught the dream summer job or internship. But how do you make the most of it to get valuable experience or possibly convert the opportunity to a full-time job? Here are some tips and tricks from various sources for internship success.
1. Set personal goals.
To make your internship structured and productive, set realistic goals of things you want to learn and accomplish. Sit down with your supervisor and discuss your goals, and also their vision for your position (be sure to meet with your supervisor frequently throughout your internship to receive feedback, refocus and maybe revise these goals).
2. Have a positive attitude and avoid negativity.
As an intern it’s likely you’ll have to do some grunge work here and there. Tackle every task you’re assigned to with a positive attitude and enthusiasm. Avoid negativity – don’t gossip, whine or be disrespectful or demeaning. Stay out of the office gossip (and definitely avoid office romances). Remember, you are at the bottom of the totem pole, and people are often looking for reasons to blame or dislike the intern.
3. Arrive early, stay late and don’t waste time.
It’s OK to be an “eager beaver;” you want to show your supervisor and co-workers that you are excited for the opportunity and are willing to do anything to be successful. Always be on time (and early, if possible), stay late to work on projects (shows your dedication and willingness to sacrifice) and don’t waste your time. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME. Make it a point to stay off Facebook, only check your e-mail on breaks and don’t use your cell phone.
4. Take initiative.
If you see a problem that needs to be taken care of or a task that needs to be completed, do it. Exceed expectations. It will impress your employer that you’re so willing to dive in and help. However, do not overstep your bounds. Be sure to talk with your supervisor to OK a project before you jump in and begin.
5. Find a mentor.
Make a friend who’s at a higher level of the organization who will stick up for you, answer your questions and be a sounding board for your ideas. This may be your supervisor, but it could also be any other employee at the organization.
6. Take every opportunity to learn.
Attend every meeting, conference, training and event and read all the company materials. Get as much exposure as possible to other company departments, employees and activities. The more you’re exposed to people and ideas, the more you’ll learn (and network).
7. Ask questions.
Although you may feel dumb, asking questions shows you’re thinking, want to get something done right and that you don’t think you’re a “know-it-all.” Seek advice and ask questions if you are uncertain about something.
8. Build bridges, don’t burn them.
Network, network, network. Develop professional relationships with everyone you come in contact with. Although you may not be offered a job at the organization you are interning with, they may have connections or suggestions that could result in job opportunities elsewhere. Always leave your internship on good terms; burning bridges will come back to bite you.
9. Leave with tangible accomplishments.
Keep a record of the things you learn and the tasks and projects you complete. Keep copies of brochures, pamplets, memos and other evidence of the things you accomplished. These things will be valuable to show off to potential employers in the future.
10. Have fun.
This may sound corny, but enjoy the learning opportunities you’ll have as an intern and have fun. Don’t be so uptight that others can’t get to know you and enjoy working with you.
So there you have it. Follow these tips, be the dream intern and leave with great experience, an awesome letter of recommendation or a great job opportunity. Do you have experiences or tips from an internship or summer job you’d like to share? Sound off below and leave a comment.
As this is the final installment of “Watching Your Wallet,” I’d like to thank my loyal cyber readers who gave this column the time of day and the occasional “thumbs up” or comment. I wish you the best in all your financial endeavors, and remember to watch that wallet (har, har)!
– karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu