Ya, pretty sure we can all agree that we’re mutually scared and pumped to join the real world.
But after attending this year’s Hispanicize conference — an event that celebrates Latino trendsetters, newsmakers and content creators in the fields of journalism, marketing, business, art, music, film and tech — I got schooled on one of the items in our “dawn of adulthood” checklist: internships. Thanks to a panel of industry professionals who’ve experienced everything they told us, I learned the do’s and don’ts into landing your first internship and maximizing it.
They aren’t just for college students anymore, either. While it’s perfectly okay to choose to work a part-time at a coffee shop or call center, some teens are beginning to let their ambition jump ahead of the grown up game. Some companies begin hiring interns as early as our junior year in high school.
But we still have questions — How do we find them? Who do we contact? Where tf do we start?
Put Yourself Out There
2018’s vision board
Think of places you’ve always imagined working. Think of the things you would love to be doing. Consider big name brands and small start-ups. Don’t shut down a healthcare company just because you don’t want to work for that industry. If you stay doing the same thing surrounded by the same people, that’s all you ever know. You won’t work there forever but you will gain experience and knowledge about the other things that your chosen career path is proposing. Listen to what every option offers you. Make a list.
Then put yourself on the map. Go to events and meet the industry. Shamelessly introduce yourself. There’s no room for shyness. The people who catch their attention are the ones who know what they want and go after it.
Make a vision board. What kind of internship is it? Which city? How long is it? With who? Mod podge that shit.
What do they look for?
In a word: passion. It’s blatantly obvious when you’re not doing something you love or when you’re doing something for a paycheck. Don’t be afraid to show your passion. Be ambitious. Know why you’re coming.
Be bold. Be yourself. Don’t “metamorph” into something you think they want. It’s too obvious.
One of the panelists, Mariela Dabbah — Founder and CEO of The Red Shoe Movement — said that during most intern interviews, she sat unimpressed. Nobody was special. Someone came in and even said they didn’t want to “taint” the interview by Googling the company. (Google the company, guys.)
She was ready to give up until a pair of red heels walked into her office with a purse in one hand and her book in the other –which she had read. Dabbah immediately knew who she was going to hire.
PSA: They check social media!!! Try not to post pics on IG of you holding a red solo cup or going to clubs while still underage. Companies often refer to their interns as ambassadors. You’re representing them. Keep it low-key. It’s cuter anyway.
PSA II: Remember to utilize tools like LinkedIn and and jobscan.co, where you submit your resume and tell them what jobs you’re looking for and they help connect you to the right ones by pointing out things your missing like key words.
Maximize It
It’s not always going to be glamorous and glorious. It will be scary at first. You will definitely mess up a coffee run. Don’t let it scare you. It’s okay to ask questions.
Always observe. Take notes. Nobody likes the intern that walks in with suggestions on how things can change. Walk in with a learners cap. Internships are opportunities to learn things about your career choice that you would never learn in a classroom with experiences and connections. Keep your ideas to yourself until you build and earn credibility. Then your bosses will listen to you.
Your boss is your friend,too. Communication is key. Go beyond the internship and ask them if they need any help on current projects. Give them feedback. Answer their texts and calls. Don’t leave them hanging. They remember that.
Make allies. Another panelist, Shermalee Nicholson — Co-Founder of and Executive Producer at TwoTonBeast — told us the best way to make sure you enjoy your environment is being friends with everyone. Get there a little early. Leave a little late. Ask anyone if they need any help before you leave. Amplify your network.
Remember, the dorky guy in the mailroom can be the CEO somewhere one day.
Just like the intern might be.
