How To Be The Perfect Intern
Read tips on how to be a fabulous intern in this recent FoxBusiness article by Emily Driscoll quoting GlobaLinks Learning Abroad’s own Barbara West.
Here’s an excerpt:
Securing an internship in this labor market is tough, but students able to get one should make the most out of it and seize every opportunity.
Make no mistake about it, employers want to see real work experience on grads’ resumes. A recent study by Millennial Branding
shows that 91% of employers think that students should have between one and two internships before graduating.
Summer internships tend to be more competitive than opportunities during the school semester, more employers are looking to hire interns this summer. The National Associate of Colleges and Employers reported earlier this year that employers who took part in NACE’s 2012 Internship & Co-op Survey reported plans to increase internship hires by 8.5% over last year.
Landing the internship is only half the battle, once in, students needs to learn how to reap the most benefits, establish strong work connections and networks and get real-work experiences.
Do your homework. Most likely students already have a general sense about a company from the interview process, but they should revisit the company website and LinkedIn pages of the employees before setting foot in the office, recommends JP Hansen, career expert and author of The Bliss List: The Ultimate Guide to Living the Dream at Work and Beyond.
“Beyond their products and/or services, know who’s who and study backgrounds—especially if there are any alumni in key management posts,” he says.
Don’t follow set hours. Making a good first impression is important, but it’s imperative to continue to show a strong work ethic and commitment to the position throughout the entire summer, says Erin Davis, director at McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Set the tone from the start by arriving early and avoid bolting for the door at the end of the day.
“If you can simply show up on time, it’s one of the top indicators to a future employer that you would be a good employee,” says Davis. “It shows that you’re more interested in getting the job done right and thoroughly as opposed to leaving right on the dot at 5 p.m.”
Take good notes. Interns should never be afraid to ask questions, but avoid asking the same ones. Take notes when learning new procedures, requirements and tasks, recommends Barbara West, assistant director of Internship Programs at GlobaLinks Learning Abroad.
“Organizing your thoughts when you do have questions [is important] so you make one request for additional information instead of several,” she says. “Employers appreciate interns that require little management and integrate easily into the organization.”
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