Tips for Interns (from one who’s been there)
By Aimee Brock
Appeared in The Wichita Eagle
On June 18, 2009
I entered the advertising world as a lowly intern feeling very much out of my league. Even so, I jumped in and promised not to squander the experience.
A year and a half later, I’m a copywriter at the same agency. I made it out of filing-research-spreadsheet purgatory and now have a job that I love in an agency I respect. Not only that, I recently won Student Intern Marketer of the Year from the Wichita chapter of the American Marketing Association — an amazing honor. I feel obligated to impart wisdom to my intern brethren.
You didn’t take an internship to refine your copy-machine prowess; you’re working to understand your future profession. It takes effort on your part and the part of your employer to make sure both parties get the most out of this arrangement. So here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
Set goals not involving a hostile office takeover. An internship is more than resume padding; it’s a learning experience. Come into it with a list of realistic and achievable goals. Having something to strive for will make the experience much more fulfilling.
Communication is key. It’s easy to be intimidated by superiors. While their desks may gleam of genuine lacquered wood, any boss worth his bread will be open to communication. Set up intermittent meetings to discuss your goals, progress and lessons learned. This isn’t an airing of grievances. This is a constructive way to make sure you’re doing the best job possible.
Keep your eye on the prize. You won’t be an intern forever. But while you are, keep track of successes. Build a portfolio to show prospective employers you’re no dummy. And share your achievement with supervisors. You deserve credit for a job well done, even if it’s a head-pat and a “That’ll do, intern. That’ll do.”
Embrace your inner Pollyanna. There will be times when you want to storm out in a parade of expletives. Resist this urge. You’re the low person on the totem pole with a lot to prove. Sometimes that means doing grunt work. Rather than staring blankly at your computer screen and praying for the apocalypse, meet any task with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Find a co-worker counselor. It’s easy to feel a bit overwhelmed. So find someone further up in the pecking order to mentor you. Mentors will help you navigate office politics, give advice and explain things when you’re feeling a bit lost. Hint: Don’t choose the guy who still refers to you as “intern” after months of employment.
Come out of your shell. Don’t scoff at attending meetings, team-building exercises or company events. Keep an open mind — you may learn something and meet someone new. Moreover, it shows you care about your employer and co-workers, which may benefit you in future endeavors.
Accentuate the positives. Repeat after me: “I don’t know everything, but that doesn’t mean I know nothing.” While it’s important to not come off as a know-it-all, it’s equally important to highlight your talents. If you’re a writer, write on. A PowerPoint expert, more power to you. If you’re a managerial maven, manage like the wind. Your employer may decide that you’re exactly what they need.
Your internship experience is what you make it. If you keep a positive attitude and enjoy the ride, you’ll go further than if you don’t. Leave your mark. Burn no bridges. And, perhaps, someday you’ll have an intern to make your copies.
