Interning for the first time can make you feel like a deer caught in the headlights. But it doesn’t have to be.
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Entering your working era sounds like a daunting task. But, that’s the beauty of gaining experience beforehand. As some of us are ending our college journeys, we’re taking up internships to complete our credits and final requirements before graduating. Whether you’re BS org or not, it can be scary entering a new environment filled with professionals. If anything, it can feel like you’re intruding at times. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Doing an internship gives you the chance to learn more about the industry you’re entering or want to enter as a full-time job, and it can be totally fun if you let it.
As someone who just wrapped up their internship at this very magazine, it was a dream come true. While I would say I had a rough start, it bloomed into something special. Dare I say, it unlocked my inner Carrie Bradshaw. Internships allow you to grow professionally and personally, letting you learn along the way. For first-time interns, it can also be the first step to discovering your path. If you’re overwhelmed, nervous, or feeling a little lost, here are a few things to know to make the most of it.
THE POWER OF SAYING YES
Depending on the type of internship you’re doing, you might be able to take on big projects or tasks. For me, it made me realize that the word “Yes” is a powerful one. If you’re given an opportunity and nothing is stopping you from taking it, take it! Opening yourself up to new experiences and trying out different tasks makes for a fruitful learning experience. Maybe it’s social media coverage, maybe you’re gonna help out with a big project, or perhaps it’s simply lending a hand; you learn through it all. Of course, if it’s something that feels a bit much, you can think about it first, but if you feel that it’ll help you, say yes, bestie.
RESPECT THE BALANCE
For those pursuing an internship while studying, it can be difficult to maintain both. Maybe you’re still taking classes or pursuing your thesis, it can all add to the workload. While everyone’s internship arrangement is different, it’s important to try and manage your time well. Scheduling is key to making this work. Setting boundaries for your time and energy is important so that you can attend to your job and academic tasks at respective times. Not only will these help you not neglect your studies, but you can also properly set tasks and expectations with your mentor at your internship so as to not take on too much at the same time.
For me, I made it a point to schedule hours to focus on academics only so that I could properly attend to those. Everyone’s hours and tasks will look different, so it’s good to review and plot out when you can do your academic tasks. It’s a good exercise for discipline and time management, so flex that muscle!
TAKE ALL THE NOTES
My background in writing before taking this internship was more creative, so I found the adjustment to writing articles a little difficult in the beginning. And with that came the notes. If you’re like me, you probably hate getting notes or feedback. This isn’t because I feel protective of my work; it’s mostly because I get embarrassed easily. But rather than ruminating in the embarrassment, it became a source of motivation.
Taking in all the criticisms and teachings is part of the learning process, as it helps you improve your work. At the end of the day, this is really what it’s all about. No one becomes great overnight. It’s a journey that people who have been working for a long time still find themselves on. Interns aren’t expected to know everything from day one. So pull out those Post-Its; we’re on a mission to keep improving.
READY, GET SET, CONNECT
Heading into an environment that you’re unfamiliar with can be a little strange. Most of us come from classroom settings where we see the same faces. When you enter the office or a workplace, it’s a whole new world, really. But that’s one of the best parts, in my opinion. This is your chance to get to know people within the industry you’re heading or want to head into, and it’s also a chance to make friends and connections. One of the unspoken rules about having a job is that connections matter as they, among other things, can get you opportunities or open doors your skills alone can’t.
If you’re doing an internship and other people are joining you, it’s good to make the most of your company. If you’re alone (like I was), it might be your chance to get to know your team even more. I had the privilege of having very kind and insightful workmates who made me feel like I was a part of their team. I felt like I was part of the Avengers if they slayed and worked in publishing. For me, having these connections made for an even more fun internship experience.
For those doing an internship for the first time, it can be the start of something very special. The transition isn’t easy, as you’re changing your routines and typical ways of doing things, but it’s essential to go through. If you’re worried about your path, that’s alright. The point of an internship is to learn and figure out what to do once you enter your professional career. Even if you don’t end up where you interned, you did it for the plot, and you learned from it! I know my internship was one of the best things I could have done, and I wouldn’t have changed it for anything else.
Continue Reading: How An Internship Led Me To Rekindle My Passion And Pursue My Dreams Again—But Not In The Way You Think
