Get an Internship & Make It Count
If you can, get a college internship. It will give you real-world experience, build your resume and help you make connections. And truly, no matter how much you learn in school, there’s really no substitute for firsthand knowledge.
I did a three-month internship in grad school (well, I also did student teaching in undergrad, but that’s a story for another day), and I’m just now finishing supervising my first summer intern. Here are the things I know, the things I think will help you make your internship count:
1. You should be professional: From day one, dress professionally, talk professionally, act professionally. Speak politely with your supervisors and co-workers. Don’t assume anything–if you’re not sure if something’s OK, ask. Being an intern is still being an employee. Don’t make the mistake of my intern and let your boss see you IMing your friends in the middle of the work day.
2. You should seek tangible results: Go into the assignment with intentions of gaining specific skills or strengths. Is it a business internship? Focus on concrete objectives, and discuss them with your supervisor if possible. Is it a writing or editing internship? Be building a portfolio of your samples. At the end of your internship, you want to have something to show for it.
3. You should ask questions: Your boss will like it if you’re interested in the field (and you should be, right?). Ask him/her about job tasks, how the company works, what he or she likes and dislikes. You are there to learn, and they know that. Use this time to be a sponge!
4. You should expect feedback: Sometimes supervisors may forget this. Even if you’re not required to get it for your school, ask your supervisor for constructive criticism and feedback. Don’t take it personally; it will only help you in the long-run.
This is important stuff. You never know what can come of an internship. They just might create a job for you if you can wow them. (This just happened to someone I know–story coming tomorrow.)
August 11th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Being professional is a great tip. I work in a lab where we “hire” subjects for $10 an hour for a week long study. So it isn’t a “real job” or long term, but you would be amazed how many people write emails that are completely unprofessional.
Example: (made up)
hi
i got ur email from bulletins on campus i would like to participate in the
study. thx.
(no signature)
And we also get things like this: (also made up)
To Whom it may Concern,
My name is Name McName and I would like to inquire about the Visuomotor Experiment. How long is the study, where will the study take place and is there any compensation involved?
I am 24 years old and will be at MySchool University in the fall. I came across the Visuomotor Experiment flyer in the Halls hall on the NAME campus.
All my eyesight tests come out with a perfect 20/20 and I have decent hand-eye coordination skills.
If you would like any other information, please feel free to contact me at email@email.com
Sincerely,
-Me
Let me tell you that sending emails like the second example really makes a difference in how fast I contact you and what I expect when you arrive. As you said, “you never know what can come of” things.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Right? I so agree. And oh my gosh, I have gotten the CRAZIEST job applications. Loved your story!
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