Internships are a tricky thing for both organizations and interns. I have devised a guide, an internship bible if you will, to clarify the boundaries in an internship.
The most important thing to remember is that an internship is suppose to be a mutually beneficial relationship. Both intern and organization should come out of the relationship satisfied.
FOR THE ORGANIZATION: Thou shall not limit the intern to coffee-runner. Yes, part of being an intern is doing menial tasks that those working for the organization don't want to do. Sometimes there are copies to be made, envelopes to label, or letters to fold, and that's fine. But making an intern do things completely unrelated to the organization like getting your coffee and picking up your dry cleaning isn't cool. Remember, mutually beneficial.
Thou shall be patient.
It is not always easy to deal with teaching an intern, although some are great and very receptive. You have to be patient and understand that in many instances this is the first time the person is getting hands on experience in the field. Take your time, teach them well, and sow the seed for them to be successful at what you are teaching them, in the future.
Thou shall be prepared.
I can admit I've struggled with this one myself. You have to have tasks for the intern to do. Devise a plan, make a schedule, so that the intern isn't just taking up space, and wasting both of your time.
FOR THE INTERN: Thou shall ask questions.
Don't just take instructions and complete tasks without thought. The purpose of an internship is to
LEARN in the field. Ask questions, ask
WHY things are done a certain way, or
HOW the system in place came to be.
Thou shall exceed.
Doing only what you are told is limiting yourself, and not taking advantage of your internship opportunity. If you are an intern you are at a unique place. You get experience in the field, while still having the leeway to experiment and make mistakes. In a real job you will be completely held accountable for your mistakes, in an internship you get to try things out.
Thou shall be professional.
You want to make a good impression on the organization you are working with - with your work ethic, dress, personality, etc. A bad impression on a company who could potentially hire you in the future is a BAD thing.
Did you ever find yourself doing something completely unrelated to your internship before? Do you have some more tips for the future intern?
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Comments (6)
I've been fortunte in my internships, where I was doing something related to my degree and chosen profession. The worst part of my first summer internship was that the firm was moving, so I did spend some time packing and unpacking, but I got familiar with the firms extensive library and met different people in the firm. Eventually I worked in the art & architecture library during college. Over the years, I've been involved with managing our office resources while maintaining typical role as project architect.
I would also add "Thou shall network" and "Thou shall seek a mentor or two." I've been fortunate that I have kept in touch with my mentor from my first summer internship, which was in 1992. This is especially helpful in this slow job market. Over the years, I have a few other mentors as well.
I just started my first internship a couple of weeks ago doing marketing work. All my "co-workers"/superiors have been plenty patient and kind with me. The only person who has failed in that department was my boss, who I have to work closely with. Today I had to work on my first out of office event at a convention center and I didn't prepare as well as I should have. My boss just lost it and started yelling at me how I should have done this and the work that I did was crap. I know that people can get frustrated and short-tempered before major events, but I felt like he totally crossed the line. Once my boss left to get some stuff I forgot, I started to cry while organizing our booth while a co-worker was serving the attendees. It got to the point where one of the attendees had to ask if I was okay. I had to pull myself together since I couldn't leave my co-worker just hanging. When my boss got back he wasn't as pissed as he was before and during the event he acted like he never blew up on my in the first place.
Ugh maybe I'm just too naive and sensitive, but I've learned my lesson.
@sailorsakura9@xanga - Aw, I'm sorry that happened.
Internship bosses should understand that an internship is sort of a half job, half learning opportunity. He can't expect you to do everything perfectly.
@sombraluna@xanga - I like your additions -- I still keep in touch with some people from my first internship in 2007.
These are all good points. Though, when I'm an intern, I don't mind the occasional coffee run/packing boxes/etc. I mean, whatever, you gotta pay your dues sometimes, and it can even be a nice break from sitting at the computer.
I know at one internship I had to do a bit of repetitive marketing work for the firm, but only because I finished my projects 3 days ahead of schedule and they were scrambling to find something for me to do. Also, don't be afraid to ask for something challenging to do, or something different than what you normally do. Ask if you can work with people other than your immediate supervisor, it will help broaden your experiences and it lets the employer know your willing to assist any way that you can. Doing the same thing each and every day doesn't teach you more than that one thing. Exceed their expecations and it is more likely to lead to a job offer.
My best tip, carry a pad of paper and a pen, take a lot of notes!