Adopt an attitude your internship supervisor will love

Beginning a new internship can be scary, if for no other reason than the fact that you have to build a good reputation for yourself from the ground up, usually in about 10-12 weeks. Can your internship supervisor really come to trust you with meaningful work in that small timeframe?

The answer is “yes!” You can expedite the process, too, by adopting an attitude on Day 1 that your supervisor will love. From my internship experiences, here are some ways I found will help you build a good relationship with your supervisors and mentors:

1.  Act like a professional

Be pleasant and respectful. Know when to listen and when to speak. Contribute to the formal and productive office environment, don’t detract from it. Talking about your 21^st birthday while the board president is within earshot is not a good idea. Texting during a meeting also won’t win you any points.

2. Never say “no” – with your mouth OR your body language

This may be the most important discovery I’ve made. When presented with a task, especially an optional one, take it, be happy about it (or at least act happy) and do your best. There is no such thing as doing too much at an internship. You’re there for the full experience, so dive in! If you’re asked to work at 3:30 a.m. to help set up an event, be there. If you’re asked to volunteer for a charity with your colleagues on a Saturday morning, be there. If you’re asked to dress up in a silly costume and walk in a parade, do it. Your supervisor will appreciate your team spirit, and you’ll be surprised what you may learn from seemingly nominal or off-the-wall tasks.

3. Pay attention to detail

Because you don’t have a track record yet, you need to be extra-cautious in your work so you can build trust between you and your supervisor. Edit more times than you think you need to. Check your math one more time. If you catch a mistake in your supervisor’s work, don’t be afraid to respectfully speak up – he or she will appreciate your thoroughness.

4.  Have fun!

One reason employers will bring interns into their organizations is for an “energy buzz.” Whether that’s with your natural outgoing personality or your more subtle drive to be innovative and productive, bring something new to the table. You’re with this organization for a short time, so give it your all. Internships are fun when you immerse yourself in your work and the office community. Your supervisor will notice that kind of dedication.