Most of us are not in the phase of our journey where we are looking for internships. You might even be in the phase where you are a part of the process to hire an intern. With that being said, this can be your guide to help you find your most successful internship no matter where you are in your journey.
Throughout college, internships seemed like a guaranteed passage into a successful career. The more internships you could put on your resume, the higher the chances that you would secure a job.
Of course, just having experience in the workplace on your resume is invaluable. Even if you hated your internship, it gives you more clarity in finding the right job for you.
However, I would argue that finding an internship that is actually impactful to your professional career is close to impossible (Unless, you’re a theatre major, then your home is at Integral 😉). So, since we all can’t be an Integral intern forever, here are my three key insights every intern should keep in mind AND tips for those hiring interns to get your best match:
#1 Ways of working
“How do you like to work?” This was the first thing my intern manager asked me on my first day. I think this question would catch any college kid off guard… We typically work to stay afloat without ever truly thinking about how we like to work.
Despite my uncertainty about my work style, it highlighted the significance of understanding your teammates’ preferences. Simply, knowing if they’re a morning bird versus night owl, will save you loads of stress waiting for email response. Especially if their preferred method of communication is text messages. This sets you up for your most successful internship.
For those who are hiring, this question helps you select the ideal intern for your team when hiring. If your intern prefers Google Drive for collaboration, teaching them Microsoft Teams might not be the most effective use of their internship.
#2 Morning mind-meld
The New York Times recently released an article explaining the importance of morning meditation to ground yourself before the start of your day.
An intern needs more than morning meditation, but a morning mind-meld. My intern manager introduced this concept as a way to manage her workload effectively.
A morning mind-meld: 15 minutes daily ritual to set your day up for success by organizing notes and to-dos.
As an intern, a lot of valuable information gets thrown at you so you just scribble it down. However, that chicken scratch on a random sticky note won’t assist you in nurturing your most successful internship.
And if you are hiring said intern, ask about the personal rituals they use to stay on top of things. If they’re struggling with this question, they might not have the organization skills you’re seeking.
#3 “Why did you go to work this morning”
“Why did you go into work this morning?” This question was introduced to me after reading an article written by my coworker, John Buchholz, where he mentioned advice he received 15 years ago.
He simply asked “Do you come to work out of love for what you do or fear of being fired?” This is important advice as an intern, who’s typically pressured to say yes and do, then hope for a job offer. This is a dilemma for all interns, which is why Emily Wagner discusses her experience in her Post-Grad Survival Guide.
I don’t know when getting a job became so demoralizing (I guess it’s the hardships of this economy) that your happiness was less important than money. This is even crucial for an anxious intern just looking for stability, but this is a note everyone should take.
So, please remember that you’re an investment just as much as you’re investing in the company; you should feel valued. You should feel like you’re growing along with your company, but also feel comfortable enough to say “I don’t know, can you help me?”
Put your energy into what you love and what gives you energy back, it will help you get out of bed in the morning. And, helps you find your most successful internship.
Bringing it Home
So, there you go—three insights from my experience to guide you toward an exceptional internship. Still skeptical? Take a look at that fresh ‘associate’ title beside my name. (Definitely has a nicer ring than ‘intern,’ doesn’t it?) Wanna chat more? Connect with me on Linkedin!