The cicadas aren’t the only species invading our city this summer. Yes, it’s internship season, so interns, here’s a basic (but critical) primer on how to have a successful summer:
1. Take your assignments seriously. Be committed to your assignments, even if it’s busywork. Some companies will test you by doling out menial tasks before handing you more responsibility. So take it like a pro, and act like you were born to file, answer phones and make copies in order to earn rewards with more meaningful assignments.
2. Arrive early, and stay late. A little “brown-nosing” never hurt. Just know that we know you’re doing it, so be cool about it!
3. Dress appropriately. Look the part: That means dressing like you work in a professional environment and not like you’re kicking back in your dorm room.
4. Put down your iPhone. We are watching and judging your every move. Resist the urge to update your status every five minutes.
5. Proceed with caution on social media sites. If you must blog or tweet about your internship, make sure it is positive, professional and appropriate. This does not, however, apply to video. The new Vine app may be the latest video craze, but taking unauthorized video around the office might land you in hotter water than a hot tub in South Beach.
6. Network — the old-fashioned way. Ask your co-workers questions about their jobs and their career paths. Attend corporate events — seek out opportunities to socialize outside of the office.
7. Ask questions. If you don’t understand something, ask in a way that shows you’re curious and a quick study — but not dense.
8. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do next. Ask for more tasks, volunteer more, do more. Think “more more more” . . . not “me me me.”
9. Maintain a positive attitude. Having a chip on your shoulder or displaying any sense of entitlement secretly annoys the hell out of most executives — and just makes them want to punish you with even more mundane tasks.
10. Ask for feedback. Now we know you know how to excel at this!