Ask EDN Question:
Dear EDN,
I have a summer internship this summer at a nonprofit in DC. I’m nervous about it. Can you provide some tips for Do’s and Don’ts? Maybe people who hire interns could offer some advice on how to be a stellar intern. Ideally, I would like to secure a recommendation or a future job.
Ask EDN Response:
Dear Summer Intern,
First off, congratulations on your internship! An internship is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience and expand your network. We shared your question across our social media platforms and received some great feedback and advice from a wide range of professionals, including those who have been interns in the past, work with interns, or hire interns. We have incorporated their advice in our tips below.
DO: Build relationships and your network. Take time to get to know the people you work with. Learn the names of all the staff, including support staff and if you’re there late enough, the person that cleans the office. It is important to be kind to everyone and treat the people you work around with respect. Also, don’t shy away from introducing yourself to senior staff (start off with a simple “good morning” or “how are you?”) and asking them about their careers, and journey to get to where they are, as well as important skills to excel in their position. Consider inviting them for coffee or lunch or setting up informational interviews to talk about their backgrounds and share your own interests or career goals. The information you learn from them can be valuable to your own professional development, and by making your interests and own background known to them, they can keep you in mind for positions that open up with this organization, or other opportunities they are aware of. Along the same lines of building relationships, it is important to view your internship as an opportunity to expand and build your network beyond the people you work most immediately with. It is important to make a positive impression so that when full-time opportunities arise, whether it be in your department or another, people will vouch for your or recommend you for the position.
DO: Take initiative. It is important to complete any tasks or duties you are assigned, but don’t shy away from demonstrating your leadership skills and taking initiative. When you get the opportunity to offer feedback or suggestions, don’t be afraid to humbly offer suggestions for improvement. If you come up with ideas or suggestions, share them with your supervisor and if it is a task or project you can take on, be sure to vocalize your willingness to do so. Also, in working with your supervisor, try to take on a project that can directly benefit your own professional development as well as those around you. For example, you could organize a lunch and learn for your colleagues on a specific topic, or as one member of the EDN community did during an internship, writing an article focused on leadership to share with the staff. This will reflect positively on you and leave a great impression.
DO: Diversify your experience. Try to get as much experience as possible during your internship. In doing so, it shows your employer they can count on you and you are motivated. You will also be the first person they contact when new opportunities come up. Those opportunities could be in the form of a project or even a job position when you are nearing the end of your internship. In addition to further opportunities, diversified experience can be included on your resume, and will help you stand out when you are applying for positions in the future.
DON’T: Show up late. In making a good impression, one thing you do not want to do is show up late. By showing up late, you tell your employer that you do not take the job seriously and cannot be relied upon. Punctuality is a sign of respect and responsibility. Life happens and unforeseen circumstances can occur. In the event you know you will be running late, call your supervisor and let them know as soon as possible. Do not text or e-mail them unless you have established this as a preferred mode of communication.
DON’T: Burn any bridges. Creating bonds with upper-level management can serve as mentorship opportunities within your field. Creating these bonds with coworkers can also serve a vital purpose (re: “Build Relationships and Network”). Burning bridges within the workplace can cause damage to your reputation as a prospective employee. Nurture positive relationships and avoid negative interactions within the workplace.
DON’T: Ask for perks. When beginning an internship, don’t request telework opportunities and time off outright. Give yourself time to acclimate to the culture within your office. Some offices support flexibility and various work-life balance options. After some time determine if these options are available to interns. If you have previously scheduled travel arrangements, let your supervisor know as soon as possible. Give them enough time to account for your absence. As an intern you may function as a support to other staff members and may be expected to serve as a backup. To avoid an empty office or backlog of work, you may have to offer coverage in the office to support the various schedules of other employees (i.e. teleworkers, vacations, leave of absences etc.).
Best of luck to you on your internship opportunity and future endeavors!
EDN PD