Three Things They Don’t Tell You About Interning

They Don’t Have Their Act Together: 

You might be excited to start your internship, but odds are it’s just another day in the office for everyone you’re working with. You may have known your start date for months, but your manager probably just found out that you were joining their team yesterday. So don’t be surprised when you aren’t assigned a project on day one. It might take a week or two.

It might take a while for them to set you up with a laptop or company badge (I’ve heard stories of interns not getting a badge to go to the bathroom until 5 weeks in). Every internship I’ve been has had me sitting around the first week or two. Don’t take it personally. Just sit tight and use the time to network.

It’s Exhausting

In college you probably spend 60+ hours a week between class, homework, studying and extracurriculars. But you get plenty of naps and breaks in between.

The first week you start working a 9-5 job, where you stare at a screen all day, you’ll find yourself exhausted. Add in commuting and getting ready for work (you can’t show up in sweatpants anymore) and you’ll find that the first week is going to feel long.

I forget this every year when I start interning. After a few days, you’ll find ways of breaking up the monotony.

More importantly, remember not to make judgments about working there right off the bat. Every job is going to feel slow at first, but remember it’s your responsibility to keep yourself energized.

You Have a Golden Telephone

You can talk to anyone.

No, I’m not trying to motivate you like your mom did in first grade. But here’s the secret. If you want to talk to your manager, they’ll make time. Want to talk to your manager’s manager, just send an email. Want to talk to the VP, just ask. Even if his or her calendar is chock full, they’ll find the time. After all, they only have 10 weeks to sell you on the dream of working there.

I’ve been able to talk to CEO’s and partners of companies I’ve worked at simply by asking. Once you’re full time you might not get that access, but as an intern, nobody is off limits.

Those connections don’t die once you join the firm. Take the time now to build those relationships, because those open doors slowly close off once you’re a full-time employee.