January 12, 2018, by aeyskb
How to Impress on Your Internship in Five Easy Steps
by Sinead Butler, second-year, English and Philosophy student
Yep, it’s that time of the year again. The process of searching for spring or summer work experience has begun.
It’s also never too early to start thinking about how to impress on your internship when you do secure one. Going into a new working environment and meeting new people can feel nerve-wracking, but following these steps should help you to feel more confident and at ease. These pieces of advice definitely helped me on my first internship at a digital marketing company last summer.
1. Be punctual and reliable
First impressions count. Arriving to your internship consistently early will show that you are dependable and taking this opportunity seriously. On my internship, I made sure that I was early so that I could get a head start on the work that was set for me.
2. Go in there with confidence!
Coming across as self-assured and confident shows that you know what you are doing …though this is easier said than done! A key way to radiate confidence is with your body language. Eye contact is important when speaking to colleagues and listening to information. It shows that are engaged in the topic and interested in what the other person is saying.
Remember, you got this internship because the company obviously saw something in you that they like. Have confidence in that fact.
3. Ask questions
Asking questions to your boss and colleagues about a task, helps to show you want to complete the task to your highest ability. Also if you are unsure about something, it is better to ask than to sit there for ages unclear what to do. Your boss will be happy that you felt comfortable to ask for help when needed.
However, try not to ask too many questions as you want to demonstrate that you can carry out tasks independently too.
4. Get to know your colleagues
Whether you are in an office environment or elsewhere, getting to know your colleagues is important. It allows you to get a feel for the company from an employee’s point of view. In addition, it shows that you are social and friendly, and is a great opportunity for networking too. You never know, a colleague may be able to help you with your career in the future.
On my internship, a great topic of conversation was university, as I was based at a local business in Nottingham that recruits graduates from here. It was really interesting to ask what courses people studied – some even studied the same subject as me, so it was great to talk about different modules and interests.
5. Apply what you already know
Showing what skills and abilities you already have is crucial. You can impress by showing that you have taken steps to acquire skills that are required for your chosen career path. For example, one of my tasks was to write a blog post on WordPress for a client’s website. I have previous experience using WordPress for my own blog, which meant I was familiar with the tool and could showcase my abilities.
Looking for an internship? Keep your eyes peeled to the Nottingham Internship Scheme page for Easter opportunities coming soon. There will 70 two-week student internships available, which each come with a £600 bursary. These will go live on February 16.
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