Looking for the perfect internship to gain experience and new skills?

Although you’ll learn on the job, you can also prepare beforehand and kick off your internship with the right impression and mindset. Here is our advice: the secrets for success that we (Alex, Colleen, Franny and Lindsay) wish we knew when we started at Engage.

These tips will give you a headstart on making the most of your internship from day one.

1. KNOW THE COMPANY’S VIBE

Observe how the other employees interact, read the mission statement of the business, know how the upper management interacts with the staff, and note what kind of environment the company likes to curate. From reading the company’s website to staying up to date on current events that could relate to specific projects, you will be helping both yourself and your employers if they do not need to give a quick background with every new assignment.

2. LEARN TO ANTICIPATE

Nothing feels quite as good as receiving a project request and saying that you’ve already taken care of it. After a bit of time in your internship, you’ll be able to know what is expected of you before having to be asked. Whether it’s doing preliminary research for a project they mentioned you might start working on or wiping down the conference table because you heard a client is coming in that day, try to get a jump on your work.

3. KNOW WHAT IT IS YOU WANT OUT OF THE EXPERIENCE

You should obviously be thinking about what you can bring to the company you work for, but be sure you know what it is that the company can do to help you grow. An internship should be an opportunity for you to learn and grow your skills, so never hesitate to voice your desire to try out something new or shadow someone involved in a different area of the company. Communicate these desires to your intern manager because, as much as you are there to do a job for them, they want you to enjoy the work you’re doing and to become a valuable and contributing member of the team.

4. STRIKE A BALANCE

Whether it’s with your classes, with your social commitments, with your other activities, or with your personal downtime, be sure you maintain a balance in your schedule. Too many obligations and too little sleep will affect your ability to perform and your quality of life. At the same time, if you’re out of the office and see an article relevant to a project or to the company while surfing the web, flag it; if a potential solution to a problem presents itself to you while cooking dinner, jot it down. Find a way to keep everything in check and in perspective.

5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS

You’ve heard this before, and you most likely will hear it again: don’t feel bad for asking too many questions. Employers always prefer questions to incomplete or shoddy work. When  juggling multiple tasks, ask about the project’s urgency level and how to prioritize if you aren’t sure. When you have down time or when it’s not as busy, always ask if there is anything you can be doing so your time can be used most efficiently.

6. PLAN OUT LOGISTICS

Work up a budget, and consider cost and benefits to situations. Between metro fare, lunch money and a morning coffee or two, think of the little costs that might come out of your pocket. Always look presentable. At the beginning, make sure to air on the side of nicer than you think is necessary. Once you’ve felt out the company vibe, you can adjust your appearance accordingly. Last, always try to be early. There’s never any harm in leaving 15 minutes early, as showing up late can leave a bad impression.

7. BE FLEXIBLE & KEEP AN OPEN MIND

One day you could be compiling research for a major project and the next day cleaning up the office kitchen. Some days you could do both! Take your all your assignments seriously, be open to all possibilities, and try to volunteer for as much as you can. Every single thing you do at work contributes to your professional reputation, so strive for a positive attitude and learn how (what may seem like) small tasks fit into a bigger picture.

8. LET YOUR CONFIDENCE SHINE!

Sometimes starting an internship can be intimidating–you find yourself in a new place surrounded by older, more experienced employees. It might be easy in this setting to feel unsure of yourself and your skills. However, it is important to remember that you were chosen for the role because the company saw potential in you as an intern! Don’t hesitate to voice your opinions on certain matters or present ideas of your own to your manager. It will show that you care to get more out of the experience than just routinely completing the tasks assigned to you.

With these tips, you can start your internship with an energetic attitude, a readiness to learn, and a great first impression.

Now all you have to do is land that perfect internship.

Consider applying to Engage! Check out our internship openings here.

Feel free to read about our experiences to learn more. And best of luck from the interns at Engage!

Alex | Colleen | Franny | Lindsay