It’s now 2012, which means a fresh opportunity for career and internship glory. OR, according to the Mayans, the world is going to end.
Let’s hope those Mayans were wrong, or just too busy to complete the next cycle of their calendar, and we’ll go with the first option, shall we?
If you want to be truly great in your internship in the coming year, you’ll need some amazing New Year’s resolutions. Here are three to help you get started.
Talk to the Uber-Intimidating, Rock Star Employee
Every office has one: a “rock star” employee who consistently puts up great revenue numbers, spouts off pearls of wisdom at company meetings, and single-handedly fixes the broken internal server while simultaneously drinking a cup of coffee and checking email. Because these particular partners/managers/supervisors tend to be worshiped by colleagues and bosses alike, they can be a little intimidating, especially to interns.
This year, make it a point to schedule a meeting or coffee with the aforementioned rock star. Find out what makes him or her so dog-gone good at what he or she does. This is not only a great way to increase your own knowledge and make a new contact – you’ll build confidence so aren’t afraid to approach super-employees in the future.
Pitch an Idea
If you’ve been in your internship for a while, chances are you’ve got some ideas – perhaps about how to improve your company’s social media relationships, consolidate business processes in the purchasing department, or automate billing in accounting. Since you’re an intern, however, maybe you’re second guessing yourself – and wondering if you have the “authority” to say something.
Yes, you do!
If you want to make your mark, you’ve got to kick those negative thoughts to the curb and pitch your idea to your boss. Do some research and put data together beforehand (or find studies that support your ideas). Having data to back up your proposal will make the conversation less intimidating for you, and will make your idea more credible to your audience.
Then, after you’ve stop questioning yourself, book an appointment – and present your ideas to your boss or mentor. Even if your proposals aren’t 100% dead-on or doable, your supervisor will appreciate your fresh perspective – and your initiative.
Learn Something New
Internships are like any job: pretty quickly you get into a routine, and before you know it you can set up an Excel merge and produce a customized mailer for that upcoming fundraiser in mere seconds. This is great – except you’re there to learn; repeating the same tasks over and over and count the minutes until you can go home and watch [insert name of your favorite “Reality TV” show here] is not a terrific use of your time.
In 2012, take it upon yourself to learn something new at your internship. Yes, your mentor should help you with this too, but don’t wait around for someone to stop by your cube and say, “Hey, do you want to learn how to trade commodities in China?”
Instead, be proactive by making a list of the concepts, processes, and acronyms that fly around your office, but you have no clue how they work. Then identify the coworkers who can teach them to you and learn at least one new major skill before the end of the year (or before the end of your internship, whichever comes first).
Using these three resolutions to get the most out of your internship is a great way to start the new year. All things considered, if the Mayans were wrong – and the world doesn’t end in 2012 – you’re going to need every possible advantage when you hit the job market.
About the Author: Noël Rozny is Web Editor & Content Manager at myFootpath, a career and education resource for students of all ages. Noël writes and edits the career and education blog, myPathfinder, and is passionate about using these technologies to help students and job seekers alike find the degree program or career that is right for them. Visit myFootpath.com to find the bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or PhD program that’s right for you.
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