You landed the internship — congrats! The hard part may be over, but walking into a new place, full of new people, and a whole new set of expectations can still feel equal parts exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s normal to show up feeling nervous. The good news is that a little preparation can make a big difference in how confident you feel on day one. Here are five things you can do to set yourself up for a great summer.
1.
Know how to introduce yourself
Have a professional introduction, or “elevator pitch”, prepared so you can clearly and confidently introduce yourself and make a good impression when meeting new people at your internship site. Networking will be one of the most valuable things you can do at your internship. As many as 80% of jobs are filled through networking connections, so use this summer to start building your professional network. Your future self will thank you!
2.
Go in with a goal in mind
Imagine where you’d like to be at the end of your summer internship, and keep that in mind as you’re completing your internship tasks, meeting new people, and making decisions throughout the summer to stay focused. Share these goals with your supervisor and colleagues, too! They want to help you get the most out of this experience, and sharing some direction will help them do that. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these examples!
3.
Nail down logistics for your first day
Imagine where you’d like to be at the end of your summer internship, and keep that in mind as you’re completing your internship tasks, meeting new people, and making decisions throughout the summer to stay focused. Share these goals with your supervisor and colleagues, too! They want to help you get the most out of this experience, and sharing some direction will help them do that. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these examples!
4.
Learn the unwritten rules of your workplace
Every office and every team has different expectations for what is considered to be professional behavior. You’ll need to get comfortable listening, adapting, and asking questions as you settle in. You may even want to ask a coworker to meet for coffee or a quick call before you start, or during your first week to learn more about navigating the “norms” of this workplace. Just remember, you’re also there to contribute something new: you!
5.
Say “yes” as much as you can
If your supervisor or colleagues invite you to sit in on a meeting, take on a new or more challenging project, attend an event/workshop/training/webinar, or join them for coffee or a meal, say yes! Often the best connections come from getting to know your coworkers beyond your desk.
The truth is, no one walks into their first internship, or job, knowing exactly what they’re doing — and that’s okay. You don’t need to have it all figured out on day one. Show up prepared, stay curious, and give yourself some grace. The rest will follow.
