I messed up at my first internship in New York. 

Honestly, I didn’t know any better. My co-intern and I walked into a meeting 10 minutes late not thinking it was a big deal. We completely bombed our intern project in front of the entire agency. We didn’t raise enough of a red flag with what was happening in our team project to get us out of hot water. It was a hot mess. I don’t want that for you. I am still haunted by it until this day and I didn’t even want to share this story! It’s definitely OK to make mistakes, but some things you CAN prepare for in advance to make a good impression, or to avoid anything that might make a BAD impression. 

Norhan and I have collected some helpful hints on what NOT to do this summer at your internship. Thank us later! - Shaunah

DO NOT wear crop tops at work 

In the professional world, your appearance is the first impression you make. It sends a message about your work ethic. We recommend asking the employer what the dress code is before your first day. Even if there is no formal dress code at the workplace, please leave the crop tops or overly revealing outfits at home. If the workplace is more casual, wear jeans and a blouse. If the attire is business casual, wear slacks (usually black or navy) and a blazer.  Once you get started, you’ll be able to feel out what is appropriate or not.

DO NOT show up late to any meetings

As an intern, your presence and timeliness is expected at internal meetings. Being late sends a message to others that you don’t respect their time. Of course, unforeseen circumstances can happen that make you late. We suggest speaking to your team lead beforehand, on their preference for getting in touch with them. Sending an email or text (if appropriate) to notify your team lead goes a long way. Don’t make it a habit of being late as it will affect your reputation in the workplace. In any work opportunity, we need to be fully present and engaged in order to make the most of our time there.

DO NOT forget to build relationships

How can you make the most of an experience if you are on mute? Speak up! Make sure others hear your voice as you give your input during meetings (If appropriate).  Ask questions when you are unclear about a task given to you. By speaking up, you can build relationships with your peers, your manager, and other co-workers. Of course, be respectful of time by keep it short so the meeting doesn’t run over. Don’t just hyper focus on your specific team either! Especially if this a hybrid role, speak to other people at the company. There is saying, that someone always has something to teach you. Building relationships at your internship and beyond will help you achieve career success.  

DO NOT shy away from being social

Company social events are a great way to meet your coworkers and peers outside of work in a relaxed setting. Of course, keep in mind that you need to maintain your professionalism, as these are work events, even if they are after hours. At happy hours, don’t get inebriated. It’s fine if you dont drink, as most bars will happily serve you a soda or mocktail. Don’t worry if happy hours aren’t your thing, you can skip them and attend other events upcoming on the social calendar. When you are present at social events, you are more likely to become top of mind when future work opportunities open up. These events are also a great way for you to practice your networking muscle!

DO NOT forget about LinkedIn

We see this again and again, young professionals do not take LinkedIn seriously in their early career. Your network is your net-worth. LinkedIn is a powerful social networking platform–yes more than TikTok. We suggest connecting with members of your team and other acquaintances on Linkedin before your internship ends. Don’t forget to keep in touch! Maintain these relationships by sending a message to check in every now and then. Take it a step further by engaging with your connection’s LinkedIn posts. Be memorable! Continue to grow your network by expanding your reach by continually engaging with new people on the platform. 

We hope these tips will help you have a great experience as an intern in the summer. Good luck!

Written by: Norhan Ahmed and Shaunah Margaret