By Kari Travis | Echo
For most college students, the summer internship is a dreaded rite of passage that must be completed before graduation day.
Granted, it's often not convenient. In most cases, it is time consuming and lacking in immediate economic benefit.
But you must notice the qualifying word "immediate" in that last sentence. Because, though you might not be getting any cash in your pocket right now as compensation for that grueling 20-40 hours of labor each week, the future of your career is dependent on your performance as a lowly intern.
In other words, now is the time to get your act together. That's why we've put together the following "survival guide" checklist to help you out this summer.
The next time you show up for your internship shift, ask yourself each of the following questions.
Am I letting people know I exist?
When you go to work as an intern you can't assume that anyone is going to care you're hanging around the office all day. Remember, you are just one in a very long line of college students that have cycled in and out of these peoples' lives.
So what's to be done about that?
It's simple. Go around the office and introduce yourself to everyone. And that means absolutely everyone. From the janitor, to the man or woman in charge, find a way to get your face in front of each office worker.
The entire tone of your experience will change when you can walk into the building and greet everyone by name. You might even begin to move from the position of intern to that of contributing team player.
Am I proving my capability?
If you're stuck making copies and running to get coffee for your boss, there's something missing in your internship work strategy.
Try a new tactic. Work your way around the office and learn about everyone's job. Once you know the basic mode of operations, start volunteering to help with tasks. This could involve anything from research to hands on operations.
And if you ask to try something and someone tells you no, don't lose heart. The process of rising above mediocre expectations is a difficult one, but it is achievable.
Take it one step at a time. The more interest you show in the company, the more interest the company will show in you.
Am I going above and beyond?
Intern supervisors are used to handling students who slack off and snooze away their hours. What they aren't adjusted to is an intern who asks for extra hours, extra responsibility and extra stress.
It's not hard to be a mediocre intern, but it will cost you if you want to be a great intern. Show up to work early. Stay late when you don't have to.
Ask to pick up extra shifts wherever you can. Granted, if you are working a job on the side and you don't have the time to work additional hours, there is no obligation to do so.
But if you are working only 20 to 30 hours a week, take on the load. You can handle it, and chances are your standing as an intern will improve because of it.
Conclusions
There are multiple ways to survive your internship, but let's face it. You don't want to just "survive." You want to thrive.
If you follow the advice here, you will rise above the mediocrity of the summer internship and begin to truly understand the impact that the experience will have on your career.
