The first stage is the initial step towards a professional career. You need to be careful to behave appropriately during your internship so that the company, employers and other employees will have a good impression of you. This can guarantee you better referrals and more strong references for future employment opportunities .
Thinking about this issue, we decided to present here several tips on how to do well in the first stage, showing you what is important to do, what attitudes we should have and how they can help you throughout your professional career.
1. Be punctual
Both on the first day and during the subsequent months as an intern, being absent and being late are enough for the company to create a bad impression on you. When absences and delays are frequent, it is easy to acquire the image of an uncommitted and irresponsible intern and, believe me, this is already enough for you to finish your internship without the possibility of professional recommendations and references.
We know, however, that unforeseen events happen. Therefore, be responsible and notify your superior of any eventuality that prevents you from attending or that makes you late, informing you how long you will arrive at the company.
Also, use common sense and suggest to your boss to make up for the time you were off work. This posture indicates that you are not “soft” and that you are serious about your role within the company.
2. Demonstrate proactivity and initiative
What is less important to you during the internship is the grant. It may even be essential during college, but it certainly isn't what will benefit you in the long run. What is fundamental in this experience are the opportunities for learning and growth acquired during their work.
Therefore, treat the internship as if it were your first job and demonstrate proactivity and initiative. Seek to resolve your doubts promptly, putting into practice what is learned in the classroom.
Act with common sense not to be impulsive and not to disturb the progress of your work. In addition, show interest in learning about the area, trying to learn more about your role and its importance to the company.
Taking advantage of the guidance and information are attitudes that will help you grow within the company and become a great professional both for the company and for yourself.
3. Know how to reconcile college and internship
Although most students believe that it is cool to study on an internship, as it demonstrates that they are dedicated to their studies, in practice, this is not the case.
If you are part of the company, it is because it needs you there and investing your work time and practical learning in studying is not an appropriate attitude. In addition, the internship works as a complement to your training, so if you don't know how to take advantage of this opportunity, it will not add many benefits to your professional skills.
Therefore, remember that each task has its own moment and does not make your company your classroom or vice versa.
Know how to manage your time and, thus, you will be able to develop all the activities of your college and your internship, each one in its own time and place.
4. Network well
The first internship, as well as college, are conducive environments for developing good contacts and good professional relationships.
Therefore, show interest in activities that require teamwork and maintain good relations with your superiors, colleagues and other employees.
Thus, you develop good networking within the company and guarantee good future opportunities.
5. Stay curious from the first moment
Even before securing a place at the institution, research the company, its customs, values, mission and find out about its history, trajectory and culture.
Find out about your role within the company, dedicate yourself to discovering the previous work of your potential bosses and advisors and be sharp when you get to know the company and the employees.
Even during the internship, I continue to demonstrate curiosity about the company's goals. This ensures more familiarity with the institution in which you work and adds greater confidence on the part of employers.
6. Be discreet
Discretion is the key to good professional relationships. So, be more observant when entering the company, take your time to get to know other people and to be known by them.
Try to listen more and speak less, as interns who arrive very communicative and extroverted may end up being out of touch with the corporate environment or giving negative impressions.
Greeting, dialogue with colleagues, being polite and friendly is always positive, but knowing how to balance these practices, especially when you are inside the company, is essential.
7. Ask for feedback
Pursuing feedback, maintaining close professional contact with your bosses, and professionally accepting negative reviews are all mature ways to grow and learn from the first stage. Accepting and treating your feedback positively is a way to work more safely and ensure good professional and personal development.
In the same way, keeping your superiors up to date with your expectations and fears are ways of growing together with the company, maintaining greater confidence and stability during the course of the internship.
8. Be responsible
Responsibility is one of the main attributions of a good professional and, certainly, of a good intern. Fulfilling your tasks on time, working with commitment, sensibility and not being negligent in your duties are ways to guarantee a bright professional future.
After all, these skills are recognized and valued by any employer.
9. Maintain proper communication
In addition to writing emails in a formal and serious manner, avoiding abbreviations and colloquialisms, maintaining a respectful language when talking to employees, avoiding using slang and profanity, being careful with jokes and, during corporate events, maintaining a polite picture.
The first internship is a time for discovery and, if well used, can help you to chart a professional path of excellence. Dealing with all these “corporate demands” may seem complicated and tedious at first.
Remember, however, that many of these behaviors represent your essence and that, with a little more dedication and effort, it becomes easier to demonstrate the dedicated and committed person that you already are!
