Office Life in Five Gifs from ‘The Office’

Completing projects at your internship is one thing, but adapting to office life is a whole different story. It may seem like such a tiny detail in the bigger picture of your internship, but the small skills you learn through working in an office like communication, teamwork and time management will help you in your future career. Here are some tips and gifs from The Office to get you excited about living the office life!

There will be days that feel longer than others

Sitting at a desk for four to eight hours per day is a lot different than sitting in hour and a half lectures throughout the week. Some days will fly by, while others will drag on for a what feels like an eternity. If you find yourself getting distracted or burnt out, get up from your desk for few minutes. Taking a short break from your work can leave you feeling recharged and motivated to get back to it.

Technology is a challenge

Mastering Word and PowerPoint will feel like a breeze compared to learning how to use the copy machine. Why are there so many buttons? How do you load the paper? Also, who knew answering a phone could be so difficult? Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions and have someone show you what to do because figuring all of these things out at your internship will make a huge difference once you land a career.

You may have to work with someone you don’t like

In college, you will probably have to complete a group project with a few people you can’t stand. Fortunately, you only have to put up with them for a few weeks, and then you’ll hopefully never have to deal with them again. At the office, if you have a conflict with someone, you can’t just run away from it because you work with them every day. Try to communicate with that person to figure out a resolution. It’ll make coming to work every day so much better!

Meetings are a treasure trove of knowledge

Attend as many meetings as you can! Even if you don’t have anything to contribute, it’s always beneficial to observe and take notes. Also, if you can, try to sit in on some meetings from outside of your department. You will be able to learn so much more about the organization you work for, and it’s a great networking opportunity.

There will be some fun!

If you’re lucky, there will be an office party during your internship. Whether it is a birthday, holiday or retirement, offices love to celebrate! This is a great chance for you to network and get to know your coworkers in a laid-back setting. Plus, there is usually free food! Just remember to have fun, but don’t get too wild!