How NOT to Blend In:
Five Ways to Take Initiative and Get Noticed at Your Internship
Being a successful intern today requires more than just showing up. You have to take real initiative and distinguish yourself as a smart, savvy, and hard worker (especially when working in modern stressed-out offices). Entertainment industry leader Emily White offers tips to help interns make the best possible impression at their internships.
New York, NY (June 2017)—You've landed a great internship and you're ready to rock at your new job. You may think that it's only a matter of time until you're running the company—or at least getting hired to work there after graduation! Here's a (perhaps sobering) reality check: Modern-day offices are hectic, fast-paced, and more often than not staffed by overworked, stressed-out employees. Team members of all levels are busy performing at breakneck speed to produce results, and therefore may not have tons of time to train or observe you in action. This means you'll have to go the extra mile to get noticed and to thrive. But worry not. CEO, entrepreneur, and interning expert Emily White has some valuable advice to help you avoid getting lost in the shuffle.
"In today's challenging job market, interning can open doors that may otherwise stay closed," says Emily White, author of Interning 101 (9GiantStepsBooks; 2017; ISBN: 978-1-537-54764-0; $15.00; www.interning101.com). "But it's up to you to make a great impression. These days it's rare for anyone to take an intern under their proverbial wing. Instead, interns have to make their own way."
White, a deeply respected thought leader in the entertainment industry with business locations in New York and Los Angeles, credits her early success to the many internships she did during college. She explains that to really impress your supervisors, you need to show initiative and do a great job with every task—no matter how menial. It might be tricky, however, to go above and beyond without coming off as overly "proactive," distracting, or obnoxious. There's a perfect balance to be struck, and if you can show that you know how to take initiative the right way, you'll stand out...in a good way.
"When you show your supervisor that you are smart, reliable, and capable, they will remember you," continues White. "And even if you don't end up working for that company right away, your supervisor might recommend you to a colleague or contact you for a position later on. This is how the networking process operates, and it does begin with your internships. Remember that each day as you clock in—it drives you to work hard."
Keep reading for five tips that will help you stand out and make a strong positive impression at your internships.
Do everything (within ethical reason) that is asked of you and do it well. The biggest key to setting yourself apart is simple but powerful: Do everything that is asked of you as well as possible. Your tasks may be small, but they absolutely fit into the big picture and support your supervisors and the company as a whole. In fact, everything you do has real impact and should be taken seriously, no matter how minimal it seems.
"Master each task as you go and you'll begin to understand how they affect larger goals within the company," says White. "And remember, you're an intern; you are there to learn while helping out! You will eventually gain a deep understanding of why whatever you're doing is important to the team. A database entry assignment might seem small, but if the numbers are not entered correctly by copying and pasting the data, a staff member may later use the incorrect information—in which case your mistake affects the company. Know that everything you do has a real impact, so commit to doing your work as carefully as possible. It matters."
Before you act, observe. You will make yourself indispensable by paying close attention to how your office operates. Soak it all up during the first two weeks of your internship. Do your best to learn and remember everyone's names, and, as mentioned, complete all tasks to the best of your ability. But as you orient yourself, take extra care to observe the "company culture" at your internship. It will clue you in as to how to behave.
In addition to picking up industry vocabulary and fashion cues, pay close attention to how you can help with any simple elements that the staff might appreciate. Empty an overflowing recycling bin. Going out to grab coffee or lunch? Offer to pick something up for others. No, of course this isn't what you went to school for, but at the same time, these simple gestures—which aren't expected of you—will be appreciated across the board.
"No one likes working in a cluttered workspace, so figure out how you can keep the office as orderly and efficient as possible," adds White. "If you see an unorganized bookshelf, ask first, but once you have permission, tidy it up. No one will have a problem with this type of initiative."
Be "proactive" with your ideas (but ask first!). As you observe the company in action, you may have an idea you feel will improve business at your internship. It is crucial that you ask before executing on that idea, keeping in mind that 95 percent of intern ideas have already been thought of before by those with more experience. Don't bring up your idea in the morning or mid-day. Instead, wait until a quiet time at the end of the workday to ask to speak with your supervisor. And don't worry too much that a company will take your idea without giving you credit.
"While it's likely that someone in your industry has already imagined your idea, being proactive in this regard will get you noticed," says White. "If you truly feel that you've come up with an industry game changer, post on social media that you're 'running a new idea by the boss today and can't wait!' Additionally, put it down in tangible form and share it with a family member or trusted advisor or professor. And don't ask anyone to sign NDAs—it's rare to make such a request, and your boss might be offended."
Show up (not only at work, but at industry and company events). It goes without saying, but you must show up for your internship without fail. If you get sick or have a legitimate reason to be absent, no worries; just let your supervisor know. But flat out not showing up is the complete opposite of skipping a class, and you won't "pass" your internship with that behavior—much less impress anyone.
That said, your colleagues will notice your initiative when you go above and beyond by attending as many industry and company events as possible, in addition to your regular work schedule. As an event approaches, find a quiet moment to ask your supervisor if you can attend and help out in any way. And once you're there, truly help! You'll make a bigger impact by contributing instead of only trying to network, and people will notice and remember your hard work—even industry pros outside of your own office. This is crucial, as companies can't hire every great intern who comes along. Expanding your network within the field greatly increases your chances of getting hired.
Make yourself indispensable (the key to success!). If you can become indispensable by following the above steps, you will greatly increase your likelihood of being hired by the company you intern with, or within the company's network and field.
"I interned for a band called The Dresden Dolls and did everything that was asked of me and more," says White. "They are a two-person band, and while I would never say I was the 'third member' of the band, by the time I graduated college, it was easier for the band to function with me than without me. Ultimately, my hard work, diligence, and positive attitude led to the job of my dreams right out of college, and set me on a successful career trajectory."
"You'll get the most mileage out of your internships if you put everything you've got into your work each day," concludes White. "This means finding ways to help without distracting others and thoughtfully doing all you can to benefit the company. If you can master taking this level of initiative, there's virtually no way you will blend in or be forgotten. On the contrary, you will be in high demand and on your way to becoming highly employable."
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About the Author:
Emily White launched her first company, Whitesmith Entertainment, with business partner Keri Smith in 2009. Based in New York and Los Angeles, Whitesmith has overseen the careers of countless musicians and comedians to global acclaim, resulting in Grammy-nominated albums and Emmy Award-winning writing. Whitesmith expanded into sports in 2012. Working with some of the best athletes in the world, White co-founded tech start-up Dreamfuel, supporting athletes and receiving unsolicited press in Fast Company, Forbes, Bloomberg, and more for the company's innovative work. As a deeply respected thought leader in both music and sports, White proudly sits on the boards of Future of Music, CASH Music, The David Lynch Foundation Live, and SXSW, while additionally serving on The Recording Academy New York Chapter's Education Committee and Pandora's Artist Advisory Council. Interning 101 is Emily White's debut book.
About the Book:
Interning 101 (9GiantStepsBooks; 2017; ISBN: 978-1-537-54764-0; $15.00; www.interning101.com) is available at Amazon.com, www.9giantstepsbooks.com, and www.interning101.com.
