Summertime Lessons

IT IS that time of the year again... a time when organisations look out for young, eager collegiates to do all their thankless jobs for them. Yes, they are looking for summer internees! Despite all the tedium of the work one of the main benefits of an internship is that it could be your passport to future employment. Once you get the right break in an organisation, it depends on you as to how you make the experience turn your dreams to reality.

Employers also check out internees so that they can see if any of their internees will be good as a regular employee. You and your employer have a common goal— to see if there is a good fit between you.

A few tips on becoming a savvy internee:

Attitude

Sport the right attitude and you are halfway there! Make a `can do' attitude your best asset. It will speak louder than your work and make a lasting impression! Take up any task assigned to you and do it with the utmost zeal. Even if you are can't do a thorough job, our enthusiasm must shine through! Take criticism in your stride and hone your humour. Its amazing how humour helps!

Get to know everybody in the office. Being the new kid on the block, interacting with others will help you to adapt and adopt the company culture. Remember however good you are, there will be glitches. There is no harm in asking for advice and seeking guidance from seniors (trust me, they'll be happy to give it!). Take your work seriously even though you may have only small tasks to do .As you grow confident and others come to repose faith in your abilities, your responsibilities will increase and expectations from you will also soar.

Take the responsibility of finding out when you have to turn the work in. Deadlines are sacred. Tell your superior before hand if you are unable to meet the deadline and the reasons why. This will indicate your sense of duty and maturity.

Stretch

Be willing to pitch in whenever needed. Be flexible enough to take up a variety of assignments. Your willingness to go the extra mile will only endear you to the management.

Get noticed and you will find it easy to get a mentor even in the short time you are there. If he is the right professional guardian, then he may play an important role in your career development and its success.

Lastly, have fun working and learning! Not only do you get exposed to the cutthroat world of professionals you get to sharpen your skills too!

Look at your internship as the first step on the ladder of your success.

PADMA

padma.hyd@cnkonline.com