Intern Responsibilities

The main player in this internship is the student. He/she must be proactive and ensure that the relationship runs smoothly. It is the intern’s responsibility to:

• Set Personal Goals. Set realistic and attainable personal goals prior to start of the internship (specialty area, new skills, network building, other).
• Have Regular Meetings with your Mentor(s). Make sure to have regular meetings where you can share experiences and lessons learned -- both good and bad -- as well as give progress reports. Also, listen and learn as much as you can during these meetings.
• Tackle all Tasks with Enthusiasm and a Positive Attitude. Even if given some grunt work to do, complete all your work assignments with the same level of enthusiasm and professionalism. You might even consider working extra hours to show your work ethic to your mentor(s). Notify the workplace if you are unable to attend as planned.
• Avoid Negativity. Avoid complaining, being rude, disrespecting co-workers, arriving late, leaving early, being closed-minded, missing deadlines, appearing arrogant, wearing improper attire, acting unprofessionally, appearing inflexible, and taking part in office politics. Remember that you are both a guest of the organization, and a representative of Rutgers University, and behave appropriately.
• Never Shun a Chance to Learn More About the Company/Industry. Take every opportunity presented to you to attend company or industry meetings, conferences, and events; participate in training workshops; and read all company materials.
• Get as Much Exposure as Possible. Some internships rotate you among departments, but if yours doesn't, don't let that stop you from tackling new tasks, meeting people outside your department, and attending company social events.
• Don't be Afraid to Ask Questions. Always remember that an internship is a learning experience for you and you are not expected to know everything. Seek advice and raise questions whenever you encounter something that is not familiar to you. Be open-minded about new ideas and procedures.
• Take Initiative. Employers love employees who dive into tackling tough problems and who think "outside the box" in finding solutions. Just make sure you work with your mentor(s) so you don't overstep your authority -- and make sure you share successes with him/her.
• Utilize a Mentor. A mentor is someone at a higher level in the organization that looks out for you and makes sure you are learning what you need to know and accomplishing what you need to. A mentor can also shield you from office politics and be a good sounding board for you to discuss ideas, ask questions, etc.
• Network, Network, Network. One of the key tools of job-hunting is utilizing your network to find your next career step, whether another internship or a job upon graduation (and beyond). Build professional relationships with your mentor(s) and other managers in the organization.
• Leave with Tangible Accomplishments. One of your goals with any internship is leaving it with some tangible results for your resume. Keeping a journal may help you remember all the things you accomplished on your internship.
• Enjoy Yourself. Most internships are great experiences, so make sure you have some fun while you're working and learning.