by Melisa Jaquez ’06, Assistant Director, Center for Career Development
So you are excited and ready to begin your internship this summer. You have your professional attire ironed and ready to go. You have mapped out your commute to and from your internship site and have made a list of individuals you want to connect with. As you start your internship, below are a few things to keep in mind to help you get started on the right foot:
BE PREPARED:
Many of you researched information about your employer during the interview process. Your research should not stop there. Track your employer for recent news and know the clients as well as employees you’ll be working closely with.
Learn the employer dress code and hours of operation. While many internships require professional attire make sure to find out the dress code before your first day or at the latest during your first week.
Be on time…always. Find out before you start what time you need to arrive on your first day and what your schedule will be for the summer. Remember employers will notice if you are often the first to arrive and the last to leave.
BE OPEN-MINDED:
More often than not internships consist of tasks and experiences you were not expecting. Your responsibilities will not only be limited to those in the job description when you first applied. It will consist of big projects but also small tasks like taking notes or picking up lunch for a company meeting. Be open-minded when new tasks are assigned, especially those that you were not expecting. Employers will respect your flexibility and openness.
GET ORGANIZED:
Keep a notebook strictly for your internship. Fill it with questions you might have before your first day. This notebook will help you stay organized if you consistently use it to take notes and keep a running tasks list. You will want to make sure to write down deadlines, meeting dates and reminders. Internships are busy so it’s possible to forget something if you don’t write it down.
The notebook will also serve as a reminder of everything you did that summer. You might reference it when updating your resume or down the road when you are interviewing for other internships or jobs.
NETWORKING BEGINS BEFORE YOUR FIRST DAY:
Did you know you already started networking at your company? You have already connected with individuals who work there through the interview process. But this is only the beginning. Most internships will allow opportunities for you to connect with employees in other departments or areas. Create a list of individuals you would like to connect with during your time there. Stay tuned for a future blog post on networking that will provide more information on this topic.
DON’T FORGET:
The Center for Career Development is open all summer. If you have any questions before or during your internship do not hesitate to reach us at 508-793-3880 or at careers@holycross.edu.
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR INTERNSHIP!!
