5 Lessons from Interning: How to Stand Out While Blending In

Internship is everything and nothing. You're required to be everywhere and nowhere. If you compare the office to a household, then you should be seen as part of the furniture. There's danger in becoming too at home, though. If it sounds confusing, then you should guess that becoming an intern is no picnic.

More college students are doing internship because they need to plan their career ahead. You might wonder if there are jobs for life out there. Yes, there are traditional jobs. Not everyone will go through that career path, though. And then there are some soon-to-be college graduates that are more keen on gaining experience. They may (or may not) be eager to get off the market. There's nothing wrong about it, yet you might (or might not) be aware that everything falls into their proper place. Eventually. Planning ahead would ease the pressure that can stall you when you reach your 25th year (or 30th).

Internship is about standing out in the (corporate) crowd and blending in at the same time. Go with the flow, if you may ask. It's something along that line (more or less). There's more to it as well.

What Former Interns Might Advise You

Applying for internship is like taking a risk. It should be natural for teenage students (like you) to be fickle minded about options that they must decide during their short tenure in the university, and one of those options is to be an intern or not. This is not a financial issue, but rather a career-defining moment. You may turn out to be lucky when finding out your true calling at a very young age. If you don't fancy your job at all, then you can charge it to experience. (It won't impress employers right away, as it depends on how you put a spin on it.) If you fancy meeting new people, then internship won't disappoint you at all. You may meet someone who can be a valuable contact in your network. (This professional can collaborate with you sooner or later. It can be a stepping stone to what you want all along.) You must be available when these opportunities present itself, but it doesn't mean that you must accede to everything. Plan ahead.

Do your homework. Remember that you're not embarking on this journey because you want to gain experience from it. There's no excuse in not having time on doing thorough research on the companies (or institutions) that you wish to be an intern. You should know the expectations, which can test your abilities later. It's pointless to meet the required number of working hours without learning anything from it. And you must not be afraid to say it. You must be able to articulate it, and how to put it in a polite way. Don't think about money. Yet.

Internship can be an all-consuming affair. Don't be surprised if you receive a call (or text message) from your boss on a weekend. Don't take it against your workmates if they don't respond to your Skype calls (after receiving instructions from your boss). And don't get too serious and uptight about the situation. Keep your focus, but don't lose your sense of humor. It can come handy when you fumble at one point or another. Mistakes won't happen if you study your tasks. Ask a colleague if you need to clarify something. And try to show your gratitude to your boss (and/or colleagues). The experiences that you would gain from it should help you become a better individual later.

Get used to the workplace drama. Consider yourself lucky if you won't encounter two employees who detest each other. It should make an awkward moment, but you will find out that those who have been around had learned to get used to it. You need to go with the flow, revealing your down-to-earth demeanor when it's needed most. You should be perceptive about the signs, which means that you don't need to be absorbed in what you're doing. Office politics can turn unpleasant if no one would keep a check on it. And you don't want to cry wolf when you become a victim of it.

There are times when you must be scared witless. This can be an opportunity in disguise, where it can test your mettle. You must summon your courage, also keep on reminding yourself that you can achieve much. In other words, it's a now-or-never situation. Don't hesitate to reach out for assistance (or help) if the situation overwhelms you. And expect this kind of situation to repeat itself. The circumstances might be different, yet your positive traits should come to the fore.

How to Step Up

Corporate culture may be new to you, and the dynamics can make you think twice before making a move. But don't be afraid of it. If you're open to new ideas, then expect a positive outcome from it. And always maintain a “first day” attitude. It's not about being the best intern out there, but rather treating your internship like a real job. You would like what comes next.