Summer has begun and several Master’s students have started summer internships. Here are some tips for how to succeed that I’ve received from mentors over time –
- Understand the jargon: To hit the ground running, go through the trainings and documentation ASAP. Become familiar with the acronyms and terms used daily and a basic understanding of the product. This will help establish your credibility.
- Be proactive: Volunteer for work, and find resources to help you complete a task. Don’t be afraid to go above and beyond what is asked, even if the task is sometimes boring.
- Be on time and dress well: Being on time means you care – so try to be on time daily and for any meetings. Understand the dress code and follow it, even if it means a shopping trip or two.
- Communicate: with your manager and understand what deadlines and tasks you are responsible for. Let them know if you don’t think you can finish something in time – it’s always better to give a heads-up so obstacles can be overcome or expectations and deadlines can be readjusted.
- Ask questions: People enjoy sharing their experiences, especially to a bright-eyed intern. Just remember, there IS such a thing as too many questions! You don’t want to keep them from their job but it’s okay to ask for help or about your co-workers’ experiences at the company. Express yourself and your enthusiasm in a professional way and you’ll usually get a positive response.
Published on May 28th, 2016
Last updated on August 29th, 2017