You have come to the next phase of your life! Congratulations! All that burning of the midnight oil and toiling hard for exams have paid off. Now you’re onto your next phase of life, your very first internship. Experiencing waves of excitement and anxiety? Well, you have all the reasons to feel this way! After all, you are plunging into a life-changing experience from which you will emerge much tougher than before. So keep all your nerves at bay and get prepared for how you could ace this exciting journey of your life!
Always ask, ask, ask and listen. Listen to advice given by your mentors. It is their wealth of experience that is speaking to you. At times, there could be really small stuff that you are unsure of. For example, how do I access the copier for scanning documents? Where can I find the documents that I need in order to proceed with a task assigned to me? If you are unsure, Ask. Get a second opinion, approach your mentors and seek their advice. They will appreciate your eagerness to learn and your willingness to listen.
Joining a clique can be a tempting option but drop that idea at the doorstep of your high school. It is human tendency to want to feel a sense of inclusion wherever they go. With that said, you are now a working adult en route to meeting professionals. It’s time for you to build a network of partners who share the same vision as you: strive towards excellence and put your best foot forward no matter how big or small a task is. Always build relationships on trust and respect. This is a trademark that you should establish right from the start of your career.
Work Hard. Be prepared to toil late either at home or in the office. You are building your bank of knowledge and experience. The harder you work, the more you will realize what you are truly capable of. Of course, your body needs to rest and recuperate but be prepared for days where you only get to see the morning sunrise.
Be brave. Do not be tyrannized by fear. Try new things and let your work speak for itself. At times there will be setbacks, which is completely natural. You are doing a job for the first time so don’t kill yourself over a mistake. The key is to learn from mistakes, remember them and not repeat them. Simple. Seize the opportunities given to you and don’t shy away from challenging tasks. Even if you fail, dust yourself, get up and move on. Take one step at a time. Prioritize. You can’t possibly do everything in one day. Keep a diary and organize your time. There are seven days in a week. So for each week, note down seven major deadlines you have to beat at all cost. Set deadlines for yourself. You will surprise yourself by just how much you can accomplish!
The prerequisite to any job is a positive attitude. Your test scores mark the beginning of your journey. How far you eventually go depends on your adaptability, whether you can accustom yourself to changing situations and how flexible you are when working with different people. Show the amount of grit and courage you possess as a person. Always wear a smile. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don’t think too much about who is smiling at you or who is talking to you. Your time is precious and it shall not to go waste thinking of all these baseless things that don’t matter! Emit positive vibes. Carry yourself with confidence but stay grounded.
Your work is a reflection of you. Now what happens when you feel that this is not what you signed up for? That what you thought you would be doing is a far cry from what you are actually doing. Well, this is what an internship is all about! It exposes you to pages that are not included in your textbooks or notes. You are learning on the job! Should you feel that this is what you don’t want to do, its okay, bite that bullet. But never hand in a half past six work. Remember this mantra: your work is reflection of you.
Treasure the time you spend with your loved ones. Have your weekly meetups with friends and family. Go out with your loved ones. They charge you up and fill you with the energy you need to get up and about the rest of your week. They are the ones who truly care about you, nurse your wounds, hear you out and have your back when you need some support and encouragement.
Good people exist. The world is filled with competitors. Wherever you go, there will be souls who are lost, dull, negative and insecure. But hold this belief close to your heart that, whichever path you take, you will meet good people who will be there to guide, encourage and make you smile towards the end of the day. Call them the New Age angels who could come in any form.
One last word before you spring off, do remember to give yourself a pat on your back everyday!
