You applied, got the interview, received an offer, and now you’re about to start your new internship. You’re nervous yet excited and you want to ensure that you’re fully prepared so that you can walk in ready to rock whatever is thrown your way. First impressions will set the standard, for your first week especially, so you want to make sure you leave a positive mark.
Take a look at our advice below about how to prepare for that critical first day.
1. Do your research.
Although you may have done extensive research about the industry, the company and its culture before your interview, it’s important to have as much updated information as possible before you begin your internship. In other words, you should do research again. Find out everything you can from the company’s website and social media channels, recent news headlines, and possibly even reviews and feedback from users or customers. The more you know before you start, the easier the transition will be into your new position.
2. Come in with questions.
The purpose of an internship is to learn and to discover what you’re interested in as well as what might not interest you as much. As an intern, you’re supposed to be curious and engaged, but you also aren’t expected to have a vast amount of knowledge or experience, so it’s important to reflect on what you’d like to learn more about. Begin your first day by asking some of those questions. An internship is what you make of it and in order for it to be as successful as possible, you need to voice any questions or concerns upfront, and you should also consider sharing any ideas you may have.
3. Practice your commute.
If you do a practice run of the commute to your internship beforehand, you’ll feel less stressed on your first day. You won’t be as worried about getting lost, whether you’re driving, walking, or taking public transportation. Try it out on a weekday around the same time you will be going to work, so that you can gage what traffic will be like or if you will run into any other issues along the way. There’s nothing worse than being late on your first day because you couldn’t figure out how to navigate your way there.
4. Contact your supervisor.
It’s crucial to know what you are expected to bring with you on your first day. Contact your supervisor and ask about the company’s dress code to ensure that you’re properly dressed. You may have to fill out forms or bring some sort of identification with you and and there may be other items that you need to have with you, so double checking with your supervisor is a must. You don’t want to forget anything on your first day and start off on the wrong foot.
5. Relax.
Take a step back and breathe. It’s completely natural to be anxious about your first day at a new internship, especially if it’s your first one ever, but remember that the company hired you for a reason. Your interviewer saw something in you that made him or her think you were the perfect fit for the position, so as long as you showcase that same personality, motivation, and smile that you did during the interview, your first day will run smoothly. Another factor to consider is that as an intern, you’re bound to make a mistake. You’re human; you’re new to the professional world and your supervisor will understand that. Most likely, this individual has had several interns in the past. Just be sure to interact with your fellow co-workers, put forth your best effort, and take any hiccups that may occur in stride.
As an intern myself, I’ve been in your shoes and preparing yourself will be key to having a wonderful first day!
