For everything, internship is something you must partake as a requirement to complete your studies. It’s a training program where students join a firm, company or organization to acquire knowledge in a particular industry. Most internships run for a period between 2-3 months. The purpose of internship is to equip students with practical skills in the fields they would love to join after school.
During this training, one is expected to be composed, act professional, and show an exceptional interest in the job in order to impress your employer. Who knows what could happen? You might end up earning yourself an actual job in the company. There are certain things you should and should not do during your internship, you can call them dos and don’ts. Here are some of those things.
Dos
1. Be smart
Make an effort to be smart. By smart, I don’t mean Gucci belts, shoes and glittering bags. Choose professional attire, clothes suitable for work. Wear clothes with dull colors. You could choose black, navy blue, grey, maroon, soft red, to mention but a few.
2. Time Conscious
The worst mistake you can make during internship is to be late for work. You have to make sure that you arrive thirty minutes early. If it comes to the worst, be ten minutes early.
3. Be inquisitive, ask questions
Show how determined you are. You must show that you have a desire to learn more and be better at what you already know. That way, you could stand out among other interns and place yourself in a strategic position to be retained for an actual job.
4. Respect everyone at the workplace
Even though most people like to say that you respect those who respect themselves, you might want to forget that saying during internship. When it comes to respect, give it to all the employees of the organization even those who hold low posts such as cleaners and security guards.
5. Show a great level of commitment
When given tasks, finish them within due time. If you feel less occupied, you can even ask for more tasks to do. Your level of activeness shows how committed you are. Therefore you must exhibit an exceptional level of commitment.
6. Take notes
Since an internship is a training, you need to record every activity you perform every day. Write down the new things you’ve learnt. Pen down experiences and skills that you have gained throughout the training period.
Don’ts
1. Do not be indecent
Make sure that the clothes you choose are decent enough. Keep away from skimpy clothes and tops that expose your cleavage(for the ladies). For the gentlemen, avoid wearing jeans to work, it’s not professional attire, unless you work in a fashion company or a related industry.
2. Do not engage in sexual or love relationships
Dating in the work space is not acceptable. It is considered unprofessional and it could distract both people from their work activities. So even when it gets hard, do your best to avoid a relationship with a workmate.
3. Do not insult anyone
No matter what they have done to you, do not feel tempted to insult someone, it’s not your place. Handle yourself in an extremely professional manner enough to walk away from arguments or disagreements without disrespecting anybody.
4. Do not use social media/Do not be on your phone
Avoid being seen on your phone when you’re at work. Don’t feel tempted to check your messages during working hours. You will have a few minutes to do that during lunch break. Nonetheless, don’t expose yourself as a person who is addicted to your phone, because you will not be taken seriously. Unless your job requires the use of social media, don’t be tempted to check your phone at any one time during working hours.
5. Do not gossip
Many times when one gets used to an environment, he/she starts to make friends. If you’re lucky to make friends during an internship, do not form a gossip club. Never sit down to talk about other employees or about incidents at the place of work. Keep your conversations strictly professional. In simple terms, mind your business.
6. Do not use company resources to do your own things
Never use the company’s computer to download games, music, or watch YouTube videos. That is unprofessional behavior. Keep in mind that you are being tested to see how you will do as an actual employee. So if that’s what you do in an internship, it is what you will do during a real job, at least that is how your supervisor will take it.
That’s all I could come up with, but there are so many things you should and should not do in a working environment. Some of them you will find in the company rules. Happy interning!
