Internship - a time of training where one’s free time is exchanged in the hope of attaining valuable experience. Upon completion of an internship one can expect to be a connoisseur of teas, filing aficionado, commander in chief of the photocopying machine and a master in the art of sleeping at one’s desk without being caught. However your internship need not be this dull, I’ve managed to thoroughly enjoy a couple of internships and here are my top tips on how to survive.

Pay no attention to protocol

You’re the newbie and probably the youngest in the office too so you’ll be able to get away with all sorts of tomfoolery as long as your manager isn’t an Ice Queen. Don’t excuse your actions, just apologise in an innocent voice and use my favourite words “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know”.

Familiarity

You’ll be surprised at how much time you can pass talking with colleagues, on days when you have little else to do, ask your workmates a few personal questions like “…so how did you wind up in [insert profession here]”. Every one has a story to tell, in my experience, the older folk are the more interesting, they’ve experienced more. But use common sense, if you see a colleague has deadlines to meet then bugger off.

Socialise

Get past the familiar level the more you know your colleagues the better. If they don’t have socials in your office then recommend a team meal or bowling trip perhaps, managers love opportunities that bring teams together so they’ll never say “no” and you’ll be loved all the more for it. Moreover, get to know your surroundings, use lunches and time after work to see what the area has to offer in terms of bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants.

Individuality

There are very few genuine people in the work place, fact. You’re only there temporarily, so that needs not apply to you, be frank. If someone asks your opinion, tell the truth, let them know what you think, “yeah, I don’t think that colour scheme works too well” your honesty will be appreciated. If you be yourself, then you won’t have to worry about keeping up appearances.

Organisation

As an intern you’ll be lumped with many a menial task. Organise yourself; ensure you efficiently allocate your time in between assignments. If needs be, make a timetable or schedule for all your activities and where possible avoid carrying out any one task for over 90 minutes. Breaking your day up a little by pausing to do another activity will prevent you from nodding off. Moreover, being organised in such has the added benefit of allowing you to monitor your progress, which will be helpful when reporting back to your managers and eventually when amending your CV.

Don’t be like Jack

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, all play and no work makes jack a mere toy. Balance is necessary for survival. You must be serious yet unserious, humorous yet focused and organised while spontaneous. Not only is it important to be balanced in character, but also with your time. You want to give off the impression of being enthusiastic, but you are no mans jackass.

If you find that your role evolves and becomes more serious then take a look at Office Ettiquette part 1 which will no doubt help you bridge the gap from being an intern to an employee.

Tobiaking

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