You need experience to get experience, we all know it. As millennials we go after every possible internship or opportunity that comes our way without giving much thought to what experiences may best suit us and which ones we are truly prepared for. After that experience we need to think about the skills we’ve obtained that a resume might not legitimize, and what our next move is. Let’s not also forget about the connections an internship experience can provide you with, we are talking about professionals and experts who can reference you, recommend you, and mentor you.  

Serving as an intern, especially for the first time can be a gratifying but challenging experience. An awesome intern is eager to learn, completes tasks effectively, and should be approachable. As young career seeking professionals, there are two popular perceptions that associates and career professionals sometimes have of us. For one, they may think that many of us are arrogant, lazy, and that we feel we are entitled. Or they might see us as naive young adults who are inexperienced and have not the slightest idea how the “real world works”. I’m rather familiar with the “real world” speech and I can acknowledge some of the value in being preached this sermon. Remember that as an intern, you are there to learn as much as possible. Be willing and eager to show your interests and don’t be afraid to ask questions, but also remember that you are not a contractual member of the company. There will be bounds and limitations to your role and you ought to respect them. Provided that you work for it, you will get where you want to be one day. Be patient. 

As an intern, I made an effort to learn everyone’s names as quickly as I could and I also demanded that same level of respect back. I also made an effort to prove how I could be an asset to the clinic’s operations, and as the weeks went by my superiors gave me bigger and more important tasks to complete. Let me be the one to tell you that there can be upward mobility in your internship. You do not/should not have to bring everyone coffee or shred old paper work for the entire duration of your experience (ideally you should not be bringing anyone coffee period). My responsibilities as an intern traversed from sweeping the clinic floor to filing medical patient forms to answering the clinic’s phone to charging/billing patients online and to interacting and greeting patients. I was also provided the opportunity to shadow a wound care specialist and given daily assignments to learn and master common medical terminology. My superiors called me the “all around intern”, because of my willingness to assist in any way possible. Your internship experience is due in large part to what you make of it. 

As I’ve mentioned there is some personal responsibility in shaping your experience, however the company, organization, or specific line of work that you are interning with also hold a stake in your experience. I was so fortunate and blessed to be a part of a productive, professional, and supportive work environment with individuals who were hospitable, encouraging, and who ultimately cared that my experience was nothing short of positive. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Before accepting or pursuing an internship offer, please be clear on your role and expectations as an intern and be sure that they align in some way with your future career interests. Your superiors/coworkers should not make you feel like you are a burden, unless you really are #yikes. Your time is just as valuable as any professional, so if you realize that the experience is not teaching you valuable professional/life skills, there are tons of other experiences out there. I suggest you find one that does. 

P.S. To all my millennials and fellow interns out there keep in mind that you only have one opportunity to make a good first impression.