Internqueen.com

This guest post comes from our Intern Queen Campus Ambassador ,Kyan, from California Lutheran University.

As January 14, 2011 approached, I realized the next internship position I will be holding will have a significantly different atmosphere and corporate culture.  On my last day as an intern at my previous internship, my boss asked me where my next internship will be and when I told him, his immediate response was “That’s going to be a totally different environment”.  At my previous internship, the environment was very laid back and relaxed.  We were allowed to listen to music whenever we wanted, and I was even allowed two hour lunch breaks on some Fridays! As for attire, there were some very simple rules.  For men, no cut sleeves, no flip-flops, and no shorts, other than that, all else goes!  It was nice being able to go to work in the same clothes I wore at school.  That being said, when it was time to work, I still got my work done, and put my best effort forth.    Although I have not started my next internship yet, I am familiar with the culture and the kind of demeanor I will need to have when I begin.  There is definitely a more “buttoned-up” feeling in the office, and dress code is business formal.  Even though atmosphere is different, I am still excited to begin my new internship!   Though the thought of entering a more “buttoned up” internship may seem a little daunting, especially after getting used to such a lax workplace, I have some tips for you interns looking to transition.

First of all, you can tell a lot about your next intern position and the corporate culture based on the interviewer.  So pay attention to the interviewer’s word choice, posture, and demeanor, and replicate it.  Furthermore, after getting the position, be observant.  Watch how the others in the office interact, and act in the same manner, try to get along with your peers.  Also, be patient.  Anytime you enter a new situation, you’re going to be a little unsettled.  Give yourself time, and you will notice as you become more comfortable with the corporate culture, you will begin to enjoy your internship even more!  And finally, maybe the most obvious point, don’t be cocky, or overly aggressive, especially when you first get the position.  If you are granted certain privileges, don’t abuse those privileges.  If you are given a one hour lunch break, be back in 45 minutes.  This way, you will gain the trust and respect of your boss, and you will leave a good impression on him or her, and score yourself some hiring points!

Good luck to all you interns out there!

As mentioned, you will read several blogs about time management on http://www.internqueen.com. It’s a favorite subject of mine to cover. Everyone needs to be mindful of how they spend their time and other people’s time. In the professional world, people come to work and have limited hours to get everything done. Most internship coordinators are also entry or mid-level employees at a company – meaning they have plenty of extra work in front of them besides just hiring the interns.

As an intern, here are a few rules to follow to make sure you aren’t the cause of any time wasting:

1. READ THE POSTING. Before applying to an internship or job, read the entire posting. Take a moment to soak it in and determine if this is a position you are interested in and would like to apply for.
2. CUSTOMIZE YOUR MATERIALS. I did a blog earlier in the week about Trash Can Resume. Again, don’t waste an employer’s time by sending them materials that aren’t customized for the specific position.
3. BE HONEST. If you get an email from an employer about a potential interview and you know you don’t want the position, email them back and tell them the truth. Be as positive and grateful for the opportunity as possible and explain you are no longer available.
4. ASK QUESTIONS DURING THE INTERVIEW. Make sure you get off the phone or out of the meeting with a clear understanding of your potential employer’s expectations. Ask them to describe a typical day at the internship.
5. RESPOND ASAP. If you are offered the internship, let the employer know if you will be accepting the position ASAP. The longer you wait, the more time you are wasting. Things come up and often times students are offered more than one position. Again, be honest and try to keep up the relationship as best you can.

Welcome back from the holidays everyone ! I’m working on a holiday wrap-up post to share my adventures from the past few weeks with you all! This past fall, I did a post called PIMP OUT YOUR FALL INTERNSHIP. We’ve changed it up a bit for the Spring Time and it’s featured on WorkingWomen.com’s new section, Campus Corner. This should be a great resource for young women who are interested in learning more about the workplace. You will see articles from myself, @LindsayPollak (an awesome career space blogger), and plenty more ! Here is the link to check it out !

http://womenworking.com/pimp-out-your-spring-internship

Enjoy !

Lauren Berger
The Intern Queen