Life as an Intern

Like all stories, the story of your internship has a beginning, a middle and an end. And like characters in a story, each intern and internship is different. Again, like stories, internships tend to follow a pattern with which it would behoove you to be familiar so that you can surpass expectations and even excel. Keep in mind that an internship is a learning experience, and you are not expected to know everything, so do yourself a favor and open yourself to the experience of learning.

The first week or so will orient you to the business place, its mission and structure, daily routine and the people with whom you will work most closely as well as others. During this period, you will normally be introduced to fellow workers, given a tour of the department or facility, and assigned some simple tasks. Though they appear simple, these simple tasks are VERY important. Assume them with great seriousness. For instance, answering the telephone may seem trivial, but remember that in answering the telephone, you are providing the first impression of the business for clients, maybe even a prospective client. Similarly, delivering mail and messages are essential for office efficiency. Stuffing envelopes, typing letters, etc., may not feel very important, but all entry-level personnel and most managers will do what is necessary to get the job done. Where pertinent, ALWAYS run a spell-check and double-check your work. Accuracy cannot be overstated.

Therefore, your attitude and aptitude the first week is the foundation to your success as an intern. By showing that you have mastered the first assignments, that you have become a part of the company, you will show that you are ready for more complex assignments and prove that you are teachable and a team-player.

By the end of the orientation period, you should be assigned projects that involve more complex skills or thought processes. Be sure to communicate to your supervisor that you are able to take on increasingly more difficult tasks. If the assignments suddenly overwhelm you, then ask for support or guidance on the way to complete the project. DON'T simply say "I can't do this." Learn how to do it.

The first few weeks (or days, depending on the term you intern) are the perfect time to discuss with your supervisor a learning progression for the entire internship. Plan an agenda of tasks that increase in difficulty. In this way, you and the supervisor will have a clear and written chart of goals to be met.

By the mid-point of the internship, you need to get some formal feedback from your supervisor. Make an appointment to review your progress and confirm/amend the schedule for the remainder of the internship. Although you may work side by side during the internship with your supervisor, a thoughtful, focused discussion is necessary. Do not circumvent this discussion.

It is common during the mid-point of the internship to experience a feeling of letdown or drop in energy. The enthusiasm that you went into the internship with the first day seems to dwindle. It's okay. To get your energy and interest back, try some different ideas. Take a different approach to your assignments; ask to participate in something completely unexpected but relative. Take a colleague to lunch. Use your lunch hour to take a walk, go shopping, read a book. Be sure to address the feelings you experience in your journal.

THE END

Usually the final weeks of the internship pass quickly. It seems that just as you are feeling comfortable, the experience is over. That feeling may mean that you have accomplished your learning objectives. To properly end the internship, consider the following:

1) Schedule an exit interview with your supervisor. In this meeting discuss your final evaluation of the internship and listen to your supervisor's final evaluation of your performance. Be honest. Offer solutions to problems you encountered. Ask for advice in developing areas of weakness. Although it can be difficult to receive criticism it is important to accept both the positive and "areas of growth" from the evaluation of your performance with grace and poise. It is a sign of maturity to realize that you do not know everything and that someone is willing to offer you constructive criticism so that you can improve and develop professionally.

2) Ask your supervisor and/or co-workers to serve as references or to write letters of reference. Keep the letters until you need them and present copies when needed, maintaining the originals in your personal files.

3) Say good-bye and thank you. Do not simply disappear from the site and think that everyone knows you're leaving. During the last few days express your gratitude to those individuals who really made the internship beneficial. If you have developed a relationship with clients, be sure to let them know you are leaving and who will be responsible for their accounts in the future.

4) Make notes of the work you have started and will not be able to complete. This is crucial. It is not only helpful to your colleagues and your replacement but exhibits professionalism.

5) Within a week of leaving the internship, send a thank you note to the supervisor and/or staff. Thank them, in writing, for the opportunity and time they gave you and for contributing to your education. You may pick out one or two particularly helpful instances on which to elaborate but need not feel compelled to do so. A simple, genuine thank you is sufficient.