Intern Etiquette

"What's that clicking sound?" a senior stakeholder said in a meeting one summer.

"Oh sorry about that," the coworker leading the meeting said as he looked into the soul of our intern who was clicking his pen incessantly.

The meeting continued.

A teammate got up from the table and walked towards the video call. He pointed towards the screen and walked through a few slides. After a few minutes, everyone in the meeting room could hear a long sigh coming from the back wall. It was the intern again. He pulled his arms back over his head and stretched for all to hear in the room. It was as if he had just gotten out of bed and prepared for the day.

It was a clear example of poor intern etiquette.

An internship is a rite of passage for college students. It's an opportunity to gain exposure to the working world. Internships come in all forms. Sometimes a company will pay their interns. Other times, they'll treat them like volunteers and forgo a salary.

Undergraduate students typically intern during the summers of their sophomore and junior year. Hopefully the internship aligns with their career aspiration and what they want to do following graduation. The graduate student internship experience isn't much different. It's a great opportunity to experiment and figure out your interests.

In my corporate gig, we host interns every summer. Most are great. A few have been really bad. Here are some points to remember when interning for the summer:

1. Treat the summer like a job interview. Consider the eight to ten weeks of the internship as a job interview. Hold yourself to a high standard. Be respectful and show diligence in the tasks you are given. Show up to meetings on time and come prepared. In meetings, have etiquette and don't bring attention to yourself. Everyone is watching you. Even when you don't know it. You are being evaluated. The labor market is super tight right now and employers are looking for competent people to join their ranks. If you treat the summer like a job interview, bringing your best self, who knows you may have a job lined up following graduation.

2. Say yes to everything. Put yourself out there. If a coworkers asks you to help with a presentation. Help them. If someone offers to go out to a team happy hour, go with them. If there is an opportunity to do something, jump on it. Be eager to learn as much as you can from those around you. Get in the habit of saying yes to every opportunity presented to you. Of course, you don't have to do this when you start working, but remember, treat the summer like a job interview.

3. Network like crazy. I see it all the time. A seasoned worker meets an intern. Their eyes light up. Their intrigued with this young person trying to figure out the path. Perhaps they see a younger version of themselves struggling to figure it out. People want to help interns for the most part. It's your job to get out there and meet as many people as possible. Doors open when you meet people. Network like crazy the summer of your internship. Collect business cards, email addresses, and LinkedIn profiles. Follow up with meetings by sending thank you notes or emails. Leave an impression by meeting as many people as you can.

4. Hygiene is key. This may seem like an odd point to call out. But if you are interning for the summer, take a trip to the mall or outlets and buy some new clothes. There's nothing worse than showing up to the internship wearing the same shirt everyday. Chances are, it is going to be hot in the summer too. Wear comfortable clothes. Make sure you take care of your personal hygiene. Take showers, look sharp, be ready for each day. We had an intern once who wore the same shirt everyday for nearly two weeks. I didn't judge because I remember what it was like being a broke college student. But for less than a hundred bucks, you can buy discounted clothes at an outlet to last you the summer.

5. Ask questions. If something doesn't make sense, ask questions. If the project team is doing something that isn't easy to understand, ask questions. If you are unsure how to complete a task, ask for clarification. By asking questions, you are showing that you are intrigued with what your coworkers do day-to-day. You are also taking initiative and putting yourself out there. It also shows that you have humility and seek help. Who knows maybe your questions are helping highlight some gaps in the organization previously unseen.

6. Give your perspective. Similar to asking questions. Giving your perspective throughout the summer is critical. Even though you may lack professional experience, you still have something to offer. Organizations, teams, people, like to make things more complicated than they actually are. If you can see through this, ask the right questions, and give your perspective, you will be adding value to the team. Don't let your age or experience hamper your voice. An unjaded perspective can sometimes be all that is needed.

7. Maintain an executive presence. Cultivate a mindset of quiet confidence. Even if you have no idea what is going on or what your coworkers are saying. Be present and in the moment while holding yourself to the highest standard. If you can be polished, poised, and perceptive as an intern, you will be remembered. Don't confuse executive presence with being overconfident or arrogant. Act as if you are ten years older.

An internship is a great way to gain exposure. It's also an easy way to be ruled out of a job. Hold yourself to a high standard during the summer. This is your time to make an impression and plant the seeds to landing a job.