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 Career Development
Center
  Occidental College
 1600 Campus Road,
Coons 109
 Los Angeles, CA
 90041-3314

 Email: careers@oxy.edu
 Phone: 323.259.2623
 Fax: 323.341.4900

Career Development Center

 
How to Be a Good Intern

Disclaimer

During the academic year, the CDC receives numerous internship opportunities.  Some of them are from large organizations with established internship programs or offered through organizations that have developed a relationship with the college.  Others come into the Center without solicitation via fax or email from small, local firms.

Please note that the CDC does not conduct on-site visits with all the organizations that post internships at the college. Therefore, the CDC has limited means to guarantee the viability of the internships offered. You should carefully evaluate all opportunities for yourself to determine the legitimacy of the opening and the safety of the environment.

Making the Most of Your Internship

Once you have been hired, the success of your internship largely depends on you. 

Here are some ways you can make the most of your experience:  

  • Establish learning goals and set objectives to meet them.  

  • Develop a work schedule and stick to it.

  • Decide what you want to learn.   

  • Ask how your performance will be evaluated.    

  • Know the internship responsibilities.

  • Understand your role.  

  • If you are not given a clear job description, make sure you clarify your duties with your On-Site Supervisor.

  • Meet and communicate regularly with your internship On-Site Supervisor.

  • Know whom you report to and if you are expected to answer to multiple supervisors.  

  • Test the feasibility of a project/idea.  

  • If you have a particular activity or experience you wish to try, ask if you can pursue it, especially if it supports your learning objectives.  

  • Use initiative.  

  • When you appear to be without a task, ask if there is more work you can do, or offer to begin a project.  

  • Be resourceful; do not wait for things to be presented to you.  

  • Find out what various departments do.  

  • Ask for a tour of the organization.

  • Be prepared to ask questions.  

  •  Keep a detailed inventory of projects.  

  • Build a portfolio with copies of your projects.  

  • Talk with your supervisor, co-workers; approach the personnel department to inquire about openings within the organization and other firms.  

  • Ask your supervisor to write you a letter of recommendation while your work is still fresh in his/her mind.  

  • Try to attend trade shows, conferences, professional meetings/lunches.  

  • Develop contacts (identify yourself as an intern seeking to learn more about the profession; most enjoy sharing their experience).  

  • Learn the trends in the profession and the future outlook.  

Common Challenges

  •  You have too little work  

Read organizational literature.

Go through files to acquaint yourself with company material.

Volunteer for menial chores.

Use your powers of observation.  Learn how your boss works, what makes things run smoothly (or what causes problems), and how decisions are made.

  •   You have too much work

Communicate with your On-Site Supervisor.  Ask him or her to help you establish priorities.

Check how many sources are feeding work to you and have them funnel everything through your main supervisor.

  •   You feel like all you are is a “gofer”

This is often a part of the job, so expect menial tasks and use them to prove yourself.

Establish a sense of trust by doing menial tasks well to gain greater responsibility.

  •   Feedback

You may not receive as much feedback in your internship as you are accustomed to receiving in your classes.

If you are given feedback, it may be less structured; not written out.

  •   The Environment

You will probably encounter situations that contradict what you learned in class.

You will probably run into behavior that violates common sense and maybe your standards and values as well.

Professional Conduct

Your internship is a professional commitment, and your behavior on the internship should consistently reflect professionalism.  Following are some tips on how you should conduct yourself during your internship.  Remember that these suggestions are true for both paid and unpaid opportunities.  

  • Dress appropriately for your assignment.  

  • Employers expect you to be timely and give advance notice if you are unable to report for work. 

  • You are expected to adhere to all organization rules and conduct yourself in a professional and courteous manner at all times.  If you have concerns with your internship, you should bring them up with your superiors and endeavor to resolve them.  

  • You never know what kind of opportunity may come through an internship, so show initiative, work hard, and stay in touch with your On-Site Supervisor and your co-workers once the internship is completed.  Send periodic updates because these individuals are invaluable networking contacts.

  • Send a thank you note to your site to everyone that has supported you.  It is important to show your appreciation.

  • Remember to read the Internship Handbook and be familiar with the policies related to internships.  Click here.

 

 

 

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Last updated:08/02/07