Whether you're figuring out which career path to follow or adding another notch to your experience belt, internships are crucial in many industries. They give you the chance to make a strong impression on a future employer and gain real-world experience. And while you shouldn't expect to be hired full-time after an internship, you should treat it just as seriously as you'd treat a full-time job.
We've all heard horror stories about interning — ugh, unpaid internships — and yes, your internship will probably involve some grunt work. But if your experience is merely tedious, stick with it. The good stuff is on its way. (If your internship is exploitative, on the other hand, you are welcome to kindly, gently, just get the hell out of there.)
At Girlboss, we take the early career seriously, because the impressions you make at the start of your career have a longer shelf life than you think. As someone who has interned and worked a part-time job at the same time, I approach these positions with equal seriousness. I know that I'll come out of each with new skill sets I can take to my next job — and I make every effort to leave each employer with a great impression.
But before I continue preaching about my impeccable work ethic, let me just mention that I've had my fair share of mistakes in previous internships, and I've come a long way. During my last year at university, I vividly recall rolling into work in the previous night's makeup, stale hot Cheeto breath, and a Canadian Tuxedo. (I was going through a really intense denim-on-denim phase.)
Did I forget to mention that I was working as an Economic Analysis intern under a money manager during that time? Yeah. Thankfully, my manager was understanding and let me off with a warning instead of severely chastising me for my poor decisions.
The moral of the story is you don't need to experience what I went through. It was a character-building moment, but I can't promise that all employers will act as mine did. Luckily, these rookie moves are easily preventable.
Rolling into work in the previous night's makeup, stale hot Cheeto breath, and a Canadian Tuxedo. During an Economic Analysis internship. Under a money manager.
Don't Be Late
It sounds obvious but bears repeating: show up on time and hit your deadlines. It's cool to be 30 minutes late if you have a pre-cleared doctor's appointment. It's less cool to be 30 minutes late because it's Friday and you're strolling in with a frappe. Avoid excessive scrolling and posting on social media while you're at work. (If you have a social media internship, you're exempt from this one.)
Take copious notes and listen when your manager is giving directions. A good boss will understand that you're learning a skill for the first time, but they'll expect you to be learning. And while in a couple of years you'll probably be running the place, it's not a bad idea to stay humble and pick up work that will lift some of the pressure off your teammates.
Remote interns: "Don't be late" applies to Slack and async work too. If you are in a remote or hybrid internship, going quiet for hours without explanation, missing Slack messages, or joining calls late without notice are the remote equivalent of strolling in with a frappe. Showing up on time looks different when there is no physical office — but it still matters just as much.
Don't Wait Around for Something to Happen
Interning for the first time can be daunting. But once you've settled in and gotten the lay of the land, do your best to take extra initiative when appropriate. It shows that you're interested in the position. Also, even if you're pretty sure you never want to work for the company full-time, many industries are small and well-networked. Building a good reputation now can only help you out down the line.
In the same vein, don't be afraid to ask questions. Scratch that — ask tons of questions. And be proactive when it comes to your responsibilities. If you run out of work, feel free to ask for the next assignment and see where you can offer assistance. A little effort goes a long way. Imagine how far putting in 100% will take you.
Don't Let AI Do Your Work for You
This mistake didn't exist when this article was first written, and it's now one of the most consequential ones you can make. Using AI to draft emails, brainstorm ideas, or help you get past a blank page is fine and widely accepted. Submitting AI-generated work as your own, without disclosing it, is not.
Many companies now have explicit AI disclosure policies. Even those that don't will notice when the intern's written work sounds nothing like the way they communicate in meetings. The point of an internship is for you to develop skills and for the employer to evaluate your potential. If AI is doing the work, neither of those things is happening — and when it comes out (and it usually does), it tends to end internships immediately.
Use it as a tool. Own the output.
Don't Forget the Small Stuff
Writing everything down will help you ensure you don't forget the smaller tasks that get thrown your way at the end of a meeting or emailed to you after the workday. No need to panic. We're all guilty of pushing things aside until some inevitably fall through the cracks. Staying productive and on top of each task requires organization. Keep track of your assignments with a bullet journal, turn on your Google Calendar notifications, and get rid of any unnecessary distractions.
Don't Spring Things on Your Supervisor
Effective communication is the foundation for any healthy relationship — and your professional relationships are no exception. If you stumble upon an issue or you're having difficulty reaching a deadline, let your supervisor know.
The same goes for taking time off. Be sure to give your supervisor two weeks' notice before you plan vacation time. Great communication is a soft skill, but it's a crucial one. For more on how to navigate those early conversations with your manager, this guide to crushing your new job before you even start covers the same principles.
Never, Ever Talk About Being Hungover
We've all had the occasional slip-up and thrown caution to the wind on a Taco Tuesday — damn those margaritas. You may want to cry and eat your weight in cold pizza during the morning meeting, but keep the struggle inside. Expressing yourself is generally awesome. But loudly expressing how much fun you had on the dance floor last night while reeking of rum is just not that professional.
Boundaries are your friend. Some workplaces are more lenient, of course. But if you find yourself wondering whether something is appropriate to discuss at work, go ahead and assume it is not.
The internship is the audition. Leave them wanting to hire you. And once you have the experience on your resume, this cover letter guide will help you turn it into an interview.
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