Kicking Off Your Internship: Your First Week Survival Guide

Congratulations on landing your internship! That first week can feel like a whirlwind of new faces, new systems, and new expectations. But with a little preparation and the right approach, you can start strong and set the stage for a successful experience.

Here are some key recommendations to make the most of your initial days:

• Do Your Homework (Again!) Before day one, confirm the essential logistics like your start date and time, the exact office location, and where you should report upon arrival. If you're driving, ask about parking options. Don't forget to confirm the dress code, which might be more casual than your interview attire. Check if you need to bring your own laptop or if one will be provided, and inquire about any required onboarding documents like a passport or Social Security card for paid internships. It's also proactive to ask if there's any pre-work they'd like you to complete beforehand.

• Get Your Calendar in Order Once you have the confirmed details, add them to your calendar, including the start date and time, location, and the last day of your internship. You'll need that last day for planning purposes later. Set reminders to ensure you show up on time and don't miss anything important. While you're at it, check for any known conflicts during the internship period, like family events, and be ready to communicate requests for days off on day one to avoid surprises. Plan out your potential daily schedule, including practicing your commute, so you can arrive on time and feel less rushed.

• Research the Company and People Revisit your pre-interview notes and review what you know about the company, its culture, your team members, and clients. See if anything has changed or if there have been any significant company announcements. Study the people you'll be working with on LinkedIn to put faces to names and learn about their backgrounds. This can help you feel more confident in conversations and show personal interest. Make sure you know who the CEO, president, and key leadership team members are to avoid awkward encounters.

• Defeat Doubt and Relax It's normal to have questions and feel some nerves, excitement, uncertainty, or even anxiety. Questions about company culture, fitting in, and your own capability are typical. Your first, and perhaps hardest, assignment is to defeat the doubt in your mind. Things can feel overwhelming with new emails, apps, and people. Take it easy, be proud of yourself for getting the internship, and recognize that you're learning and pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.

• Establish Expectations and Communicate Early in the first week, it's vital to understand what the expectations are for your role and how you can meet them. This helps you understand how you can bring value and gain a realistic picture of what you can and cannot do. Knowing expectations helps you allocate time to higher-priority tasks. Communicate your progress throughout the week and check if your outcomes are meeting expectations. Establish a good line of communication early on. Communication is a foundational skill, and it's okay to overcommunicate, especially when learning new tools like Slack.

• Take Great Notes and Ask Questions Taking notes is huge for understanding the company and your role. It can unlock curiosity and lead to questions you might not have thought of otherwise. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Questions are key to getting answers. Your team knows you are new and is there to help you during the onboarding period. Being curious and asking questions can lead to faster accommodation and a more thorough understanding of your tasks. When asking, consider the relevance of the question, if it provides an opportunity for better results, and if it offers insight into how to do your job better (the "ROI" framework). Don't be afraid of "looking dumb"; often, others have the same questions, and your questions could provide new insight to the team. Try to research things yourself first before asking, so you can show you've made an effort if you still need help.

• Start Making Connections Try to introduce yourself to colleagues and ask about their roles. Knowing who to approach with questions is vital. Your manager might help with introductions. You can start with people around your desk. Finding social areas like the kitchen or common area can be an "amazing icebreaker". These spaces allow for small talk about life and hobbies, which helps you get to know colleagues beyond their job titles. The people you meet could recommend you for future opportunities or be experts in fields you're curious about. Challenge yourself to meet different people within the company beyond your immediate team. Get an idea of what they do and ask if there's any way you can help them.

• Establish Relationships with Your Team Nurture trust and a genuine connection with your manager and teammates, especially those you work closely with. Invite them for coffee or lunch. Your relationship with your team is important because they are the people you will likely reach out to when things go wrong and share progress with.

• Plan Your Self-Care Routine This is the most important tip. Self-care sets the foundation for everything else. Making time for self-care early on will benefit your future self. Do what works for you, and don't expect it to be perfect immediately. Figuring out your workflow is also important. When you are at your best, you can help the team be at its best, as energy spreads.

Getting off to a "hot start" involves stepping out of your comfort zone early. Show them your value, contribute to the company culture, and make the most of this opportunity.