Auburn students are constantly anticipating life after college and ways to prepare. Internship and interview opportunities are being sent to every Auburn undergraduate inbox to persuade students to get involved in an internship this summer.
According to the University of Maryland in Baltimore County, "An internship gives a student the opportunity for career exploration and development, and to learn new skills. It offers the employer the opportunity to bring new ideas and energy into the workplace, develop talent and potentially build a pipeline for future full-time employees."
It is important for students to take advantage of these opportunities, but it can be overwhelming if you don't feel prepared or know what to anticipate.
During this time of the year, students begin to worry about how to meet the expectations of an internship opportunity.
In order to succeed during this time, it's important to know how to prepare for internship interviews, what to expect and even what to wear. Hopefully, the advice given will help you feel more confident as you walk into your interview and first day on the job.
At the internship or interview, it’s important to show up in business casual clothes. If you are ever unsure of the proper attire, you can always check with your supervisor to know what to wear.
Dressing up to look professional allows customers to feel safe — as if they are getting serviced by a top-tier employer. I'm sure you've heard the saying 'dress to impress.' Always dress to impress yourself, employers, and customers.
It’s understandable to feel nervous preparing for an internship or interview. Usually, you’re being interviewed by someone older and more experienced than you. This is nerve-wracking, and it's okay.
There are many things you can do to make sure you walk into these experiences feeling prepared and confident.
One tip to get rid of nerves is to make sure you prepare to the best of your ability for interview questions. To prepare for the interview, research the background information on the internship you’re applying for. This will help give you more information on the company, so you can give educated answers on how you can bring value to the company.
Another way to prepare for an internship interview is to practice out loud. Usually, an interviewer will ask the student to tell them more about themselves. This may seem simple because no one knows you better than you know yourself. However, this is typically the part of interviews that trips people up.
When applying for a new internship or being interviewed, there are expectations to be aware of such as being able to recite simple information about yourself.
To do well at your internship this summer or fall, get rest every night. Rest will allow your brain to recharge so you will have enough energy to conquer the day.
Eating a healthy meal in the mornings before you attend your internship is also important because you will likely have a long workday.
It’s important to always have positive energy when entering the workplace because your energy is contagious. Remember to stay calm and never allow your nervous energy to talk you out of applying for an internship or attending an interview.
The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors.
These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.
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Jakai Spikes, senior in Journalism, is a writer at The Auburn Plainsman.
