- Chart Your Course: Before starting an internship, create a
checklist. List the skills you hope to learn, people you want to meet,
types of projects you'd like to work on, ideas you have about the company,
etc. As the internship progresses, check off items on the list to ensure
that you're making the most of your experience
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- Expect Some Busywork: All internships - and most jobs for that
matter - involve some menial tasks like photocopying, faxing, and filing.
While your internship will hopefully involve substantive work beyond
busywork, do not expect to be running the show. No one likes an intern
with unrealistic expectations or delusions of grandeur.
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- Use Your "Intern-al Access": Because interns tend
to be viewed by employees as young, energetic visitors, they often have
access to meetings and areas of the company that young employees do not.
Make the most of this access to learn about the inner workings of the
company and the people who work there.
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- Bond With Your Fellow Interns: Be sure to meet and share ideas
with other interns at your company - even ones who are not in your particular
department. Your fellow interns can be a powerful source of information
about the company, letting you know, for example, which departments
are hot and which are not.
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- Say Hello to Higher-Ups: When passing executives in the hallway,
do not hesitate to introduce yourself and chat with them about the company.
Most interns are too intimidated to say hello to higher-ups, so by taking
the initiative, you'll stand out as motivated and engaged.
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- Volunteer For Extra Assignments: During slow periods, be sure
to track down your supervisor and volunteer for extra assignments -
something few interns bother to do. The more initiative and enthusiasm
you show, the more responsibility you'll get.
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- Participate in "Extracurriculars": If your company
offers interns access to field trips, brown-bag luncheons with executives,
barbeques, tickets to sporting events, or other traditional internship
"extracurriculars," by all means participate. Some interns
most memorable and rewarding experiences occur outside the direct scope
of employment.
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- Be Nice to Everyone: Many interns do not realize that gaining
the respect of assistants, mail-room workers, and other support staff
can be as important as winning the appreciation of executives. When
it comes time to be considered for a full-time position, how you treat
support staff can make a difference in whether you get a job offer.
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- Get a Rec: While your work is still fresh in the mind of your
supervisor, make sure to ask him or her for a recommendation, it is
useful to have already secured one when you later search for a job or
apply to graduate school.
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- Stay in Touch: After your internship ends, keep in touch with
co-workers with periodic calls or e-mails. This is an easy way to get
company updates and keep your name fresh in the minds of employees when
hiring decisions are made.
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Source: Mark Oldham & Samer Hamadeh, authors of America's
Top Internships and The Internship Bible, published by Random House/Princeton
Review Books
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