Internship Do's and Don'ts
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- Do
try at obtain at least one internship during your college years. And do
try to get multiple internships.
- Do
set specific goals for yourself and each internship. Know what you want
to accomplish with each internship.
- Don't expect all internships to be paid.
We wish they all were, but many are not. And do at least consider
accepting both paid and nonpaid internships; some of the best
internships may not be paid.
- Do expect to be treated
professionally. And do act professionally at all times.
- Don't expect internships to just be
handed to you; internships must be earned, as with any job.
- Do
utilize your network of family and friends to the fullest to get leads
on internships.
- Do
try and schedule regular meetings with your internship supervisor.
- Don't pass up opportunities to have
experiences beyond the regular scope of the internship that lead to
chances to learn more about the company or industry.
- Do get as much
exposure throughout the internship organization as possible.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. And do
be open to learning new skills and methodologies.
- Do find a mentor within the
organization, whether it’s your internship supervisor or some other
manager.
- Do
make sure you leave your internship with new skills, a better
understanding of your field, and tangible accomplishments.
- Do
take advantage of job and career fairs to scout possible internship
opportunities.
- Don't forget to take advantage of the career services office at your
college -- they typically have leads to numerous internship
opportunities.
- Do
be sure you have a dynamic cover letter, a superior resume, and polished
interviewing techniques.
- Do
send thank you letters to all people who interview you -- and all the
people who help you find an internship.
- Don't
ever give up in your internship quest. And do exhaust all possible
internship leads.
- Do
enjoy your internship -- even when you are doing the inevitable grunt
work many interns do as part of "paying your dues."
- Don't
burn any bridges -- even if your internship was not the best.
- Do
keep in touch with key coworkers from your internships -- and do
cultivate them to become
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