Lessons from the Corner Office

Entry by Courtney Sampson, Marketing and Communications Intern, Indiana State Fair

You know, nothing’s typical at the Indiana State Fair. We’re the biggest fair in the state, attracting nearly 975,000 visitors throughout 17 days. We’ve got “the world’s largest boar” and a 25-foot tall sculpture based upon Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.” We’ve even got gigantic pumpkins, big deals and steep discounts, and real-life bears. (Oh my!)

Not that I’m biased or anything, but we’re the biggest and the best! And we sure aren’t typical. So, let me share a secret with you. It’s been a lifelong goal of mine to reach the “corner office.” You know, once you get to the corner office, it means you’re the big kahuna…the big cheese…you’ve made it to the top! Well guess what, folks? It may all be downhill from here – cause I’ve got the corner office at the Indiana State Fairgrounds!

Really, I’m very lucky. You’ll catch me in the Communications Building, and my desk is surrounded by windows that showcase the view of the Hoosier Lottery Grandstand, the Best Way Disposal Infield, Pioneer Village, and Main Street. It’s a prime location with a phenomenal view. So, now that I’ve worked at the State Fair for two months, what lessons can I share with you as I write this from my corner office?

Although some employers might wonder “What do 20 year-olds know, anyway?” others nearly twice your age label you “the expert.”

Thank goodness I’m 23. Just kidding, but here’s the thing. If you know what strengths you bring to the table, you’re heading in the right direction. If you know your strengths and have a plan on how you can help your team utilizing what you know, then you’re in even better shape. If you know your strengths and how to leverage them at the appropriate time, your boss may give you the opportunity to do so. If you come back with positive results and can translate your hard work into a language your boss identifies with, you just may be on the road to success.

Here’s what I’m saying. Some people may embrace fresh, new ideas. Sometimes, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. And sometimes, us 20-somethings should remember…if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Enjoy intern status while you can.

Coffee? Check. Mail? Check. Phone messages? Check. Random errand-running? Check. Intern? Yep! Sure, maybe you’re the team’s gopher…the low man on the totem pole…the nameless 20-something in the sterile cubicle. But guess what else that means? If you don’t waste time during your work day, you just may be able to actually leave the office around 5pm. You can go home and be finished with work. You don’t have the pressure your boss may have. Maybe you’re even getting paid and can afford a restaurant meal, a drink, or even a movie ticket (if you’re lucky!).

Just because you’re “only” an intern doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work hard, and it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be willing to put in your dues or stay longer if you know the team is in “crunch-time.” (Example, Indiana State Fair!) But just remember, you’re there to contribute, but you’re also there to learn. You’re probably a student, and you’re definitely entitled to some personal time. Enjoy being the low man on the totem pole while it lasts. Trust me, if you’re a good intern, you probably won’t be at the bottom of the food chain for too long!

When the internship is over, don’t just fly out the door!

Remember, one of the goals of an internship is to leave with tangible accomplishments. This might mean reserving your last day or two in order to print out items for your portfolio, have a closing meeting with your supervisor, say goodbye to your fellow co-workers, and more.

Don’t forget to track your results – maybe you developed a brochure; perhaps you organized meetings and meals; maybe you met with potential clients, researched industry trends, organized a new campaign, filed clippings and photos for historical reference.

Who knows what you did, and maybe some of it was just downright boring. But hey, we’ve all got to do those mundane tasks. The key is to write down the big tasks, and remember when you were asked to do the small tasks. No matter what your role was at the company, you can take something away from the internship. You may have learned what you love, and maybe you really learned what you hate. Either way, internships are a great way to pair coursework with real experience. Finally, don’t forget to send those personalized, hand-written thank-you notes. You never know who you’ll come across down the road!

In the words of one of my favorite porky pals…
“Th-th-th-thaaaat’s all, folks!”

PS. Forgive me, it’s Year of Pigs at the Indiana State Fair. What’s that mean? You’ll have to visit the fair to find out, August 6 – 22!