Of
course you need to network and you should, but there is a time and a place. I
can only speak for Fashion/Beauty PR, but some of this I am sure applies to
other industries.
1.
Think big
picture: I know you’ve heard this since birth but really, you are packing up a
garment bag to be delivered to MagazineX so stop to examine the players who
might be involved in that transaction. I would bet there is an assistant on the
opposite side of the fence who is desperately waiting for said garment bag.
*Idea:
Why not ask your supervisor if you can contact the magazine assistant to let
them know the bag is on its way? It is one less thing for your supervisor to
think about and then guess what? You are forming a relationship with someone on
the outside!
*Follow-through!
This is SOOOO important. Always check with the messenger centre to see if the
garment bag was delivered and signed for and then alert your supervisor and
said magazine assistant (in separate emails) as such. #BonusPoints
2.
Hand delivery:
Interoffice mail may be more efficient but nothing replaces the intimacy of
hand delivering mail. You might get a chance to speak to the person you are
handing off to, so don’t be lazy and take advantage of face time.
3.
After hours:
People work hard and often work late. Why not be the intern that’s there
through thick and thin. Be there when everyone let’s their hair down after
hours and is working hard to accomplish the same goal. It’s intimate and it’s
golden opportunity to set yourself apart.
*Note:
Don’t confuse the above with hovering or stalking. You need to ask your
supervisor if he/she would like to you stay.
4.
Private time: Do
schedule time with a supervisor to ask how you are doing in the middle of the
internship. Take to heart any feedback you get and work to implement any
changes necessary. If there are other people in the company you are interested
in meeting, always ask your supervisor first if it would be ok to schedule time
with them (don’t do this until after you have already met with your own
supervisor).
*
Don’t think too big here and fantasize scheduling time with the CEO. But for
example, if you are in PR, but have some interest in marketing too, it is
totally normal to want to investigate another area of a company.
5.
Ask for work. Be
the person who is always looking to do more. It will not only impress your
supervisor, but it will get you more experience too and isn’t that the point of
interning?!
6.
A few Don’ts: Do
not tweet your supervisor. Do not friend your supervisor on Facebook. Linkedln
is acceptable at the end of your internship. Even the most down to earth people
appreciate boundaries and on a higher level, hierarchy. Hierarchy keeps the
pecking order neat and tidy. Engage but don’t be over aggressive. You will
shine through your work, not through telling your boss what you did last
weekend (dancing until 4am at a club). *Grain of salt –you know when you have
formed a friendship past the formal supervisor/intern one…use your best
judgement on the above. There are exceptions…
This
is all I could think of at the moment…hope it is helpful…
XOXO
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