The Top 8 Mistakes Interns Make

The Top 8 Mistakes Interns MakeThe Top 8 Mistakes Interns MakeAn internshipis a valuable college experience that teaches students how to act and perform professionally in the real world while affording them the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in a particular industry. No longer optional, an internship is one of the first things employers look on resumes. Benefits of Completing an Internship The benefits of an internship are numerous, but the top reasons fruchtwein students seek out internship opportunities include A chance to include relevant experience on a resumeGaining the knowledge and skills required to be successful in a fieldLearning the ins and outs of the business with the help of a mentorNetworking with professionals and establishing long-term connections In order to get the most out of your internship, you must put your best foot forward and avoid anything that would compromise these benefits. According to employers, the following are some of the most commo n mistakes that interns make that could cost them a great professional reference or an offer for a full-time position with the company. Taking the Internship Too Casually Students must approach the internship experience in a professional manner. Establishing goals beforehand will help define what you want to accomplish and how to get there. Because we live in a global marketplace students need to realize how competitive the world is and act accordingly. Avoiding Menial Tasks Everyone has something they dont like about their job. For management, it may be too many meetings. For interns, tasks like filing are boring but doing menial work quickly and cheerfully demonstrates a good work ethic. Youll also gain the respect of your boss, which could lead to more challenging work. But you want to avoid being taken advantage of. If you speak with your employer beforehand about responsibilities youll have grounds for requesting some challenging work mixed in with the filing. Poor T ime Management Getting to work late or taking long lunch breaks doesnt sit well with employers. As a professional, you should adhere to the rules and regulations of the office. If work begins at 830 am and ends at 430 pm, dont arrive at 845 am and leave at 4 pm. If everyone takes an hour for lunch, do the same. You should alsoprioritize your time. If you have multiple tasks, its your job to prioritize them. If necessary, speak with your supervisor to determine which are the most time-sensitive. Not Adhering to the Office Dress Code Youve probably heard that you should dress for the job you want, bedrngnis the job you have. College students have leeway about dress attire but in the workplace dressing too casual or inappropriately makes you look unprofessional. If youre not sure how to dresslook at how your co-workers dress or ask your supervisor before you start. Not Learning the Office Culture Individuality is a good trait but not when it clashes with the corporate culture. Some offices are formal and corporate, while others are laid-back and casual. Oftentimes just observing how employees behave and interact will help you fit in. Not Taking the Time to Establish Important Relationships To get the most out of your experience, establish relationships withgood mentors and co-workers who can share their knowledge and skills. Keeping in touch after the internship will keep you plugged into job openings in the company. Not Asking Your Supervisor for Important Feedback Feedback and constructive criticism should be two of the main goals of an internship. Feedback will improve your wertzuwachs at that job and ones in the future. Have a follow-up conversation to gauge improvement and see what other things you can do to improve. Failure to Take Advantage of Resources Internships provide an opportunity to learn all sorts of things about an industry or company. Reading professional journals and attending industry conferences, talks and lectures are gr eat ways to broaden your knowledge.