About three weeks into my summer internship and countless times I have fallen back on PR and professionalism basics as I navigate through my intern duties. Not only starting in a new job, but learning a new industry has tested my skills.
Reflecting on my personal (and present) experience, here are my four tips to succeeding in a new internship:
1) Research.
Everyone says it, but actually doing the research takes time, effort and focus. In my situation I needed to be an expert on milk banking and breastfeeding... I don't know many 20 year olds that are. Therefore I learned that doing my homework about the industry before I started the job and diligently throughout the process would give myself solid foundation for success.
2) Resist asking for answers.
Notice I didn’t say resist asking questions. Questions are important and understandable, especially when you’re new to the company or organization. However, if you can do your own research and find the answer, save the trouble of asking. It's good practice as an individual, and a great burden taken off of your employer.
3) Set goals and stay busy.
Personally I like to make lists and so each day I write out my tasks. In part it helps to ensure productivity, timeliness on projects and organized work time. The great thing is, there is always more to do or improve upon. I want to leave my summer internship having done the most I could do, leaving the organization better than when I came in. <-- That should be on the top of an intern's goal list every day.
4) Learn to love it.
Find a way to love what you do. Once you invest yourself into the company or organization, the work you put forth will have much more meaning. Specifically for nonprofits, I believe the only way to succeed is to be passionate about the impact you are making.
I am only a few weeks in, but I am determined to follow my own four guidelines to success. As my father would say, "Another day, another opportunity." Good luck to all the interns this summer!
Reflecting on my personal (and present) experience, here are my four tips to succeeding in a new internship:
1) Research.
Everyone says it, but actually doing the research takes time, effort and focus. In my situation I needed to be an expert on milk banking and breastfeeding... I don't know many 20 year olds that are. Therefore I learned that doing my homework about the industry before I started the job and diligently throughout the process would give myself solid foundation for success.
2) Resist asking for answers.
Notice I didn’t say resist asking questions. Questions are important and understandable, especially when you’re new to the company or organization. However, if you can do your own research and find the answer, save the trouble of asking. It's good practice as an individual, and a great burden taken off of your employer.
3) Set goals and stay busy.
Personally I like to make lists and so each day I write out my tasks. In part it helps to ensure productivity, timeliness on projects and organized work time. The great thing is, there is always more to do or improve upon. I want to leave my summer internship having done the most I could do, leaving the organization better than when I came in. <-- That should be on the top of an intern's goal list every day.
4) Learn to love it.
Find a way to love what you do. Once you invest yourself into the company or organization, the work you put forth will have much more meaning. Specifically for nonprofits, I believe the only way to succeed is to be passionate about the impact you are making.
I am only a few weeks in, but I am determined to follow my own four guidelines to success. As my father would say, "Another day, another opportunity." Good luck to all the interns this summer!