“How to Survive a Corporate Summer”

Have you just received your internship? Welcome to the Corporate world!

I spent my summer on the 18th floor of the Comcast Technology Center. It was an unusual internship, but it allowed me almost unfettered access across the campus and countless interactions in the corporate world. Here’s some advice I wish I’d been given to prepare me for the Corporate World. 

Business Attire in the Summer.

I spent every morning last summer travelling from sweltering downtown Philadelphia to the sweet relief of an air conditioned tower. Figuring out what to wear as an intern is a battle to begin with, and figuring out what to wear when navigating two separate climates is impossible. 

I recommend flowing slacks or long silky skirts, along with a layer, something to wrap yourself in. An extra something in your bag or a closet in case a grocery, snack, or coffee run turns into a swamp of sweat. While the name of the site feels more than a little on the nose. This article lays out in detail the pros and cons of different fabrics and provides dozens of links with suggestions. 

https://corporette.com/summer-work-clothes/  

The most important thing regarding dress codes, business casual or otherwise, is to remain aware and attentive to where you work and the clothing culture around you. Not just those of your fellow interns but your bosses and their full-time employees. As an intern, you could be added to last-minute “Lunch and Learns”, departmental check-ins, or meetings that require the collaboration of multiple department heads. Be confident in what you’re wearing, but most importantly, be prepared.

The Work. 

Every internship is different.  

But when it comes to the projects assigned to you, establish expectations immediately. Ask all the questions you can think of when it’s first assigned, and take notes!  What exactly do they expect you to do? Is there a format you need to follow? When do you need to have this finished? What’s the timeline, and when do they need to review?  

Don’t rush the project, imagining they’ll have more ready to go. Oftentimes, projects for interns are meant to keep you busy for weeks. Use that time to go above and beyond before the deadline, but don’t try to beat it. 

Preparation throughout your internship will save you. Before meetings, do your research and have notes, talking points, and questions to refer to.  

Be able to verbalise what was discussed, your opinion, and any questions you may have

The Art of a One-on-One.  

A one-on-one is a 15-minute or longer conversation with someone in the company. Use your resources, LinkedIn, and company websites. Research who in the company is doing a job you might enjoy. Who has similar passions or had a similar major to yours when they went to school? How did they make their transition from school to a corporation and a paying job? 

You can phrase it as grabbing a cup of coffee or that you admire them and want to learn more about a specific aspect of their job or journey. 

During the meeting, take note of 1 to 2 things to follow up on with them in a thank-you email. Meeting and beginning your relationship is just the first step. Maintaining those connections once you make them is essential. Not every meeting will provide you with a lifelong mentor, but it just might help you build a comfortable relationship with the company and future opportunities 

 For higher-ups, corporate spaces appreciate and follow a hierarchy; for the important people, “the big bosses,” consider asking your boss or direct manager to facilitate that introduction. 

It never hurts to ask. The worst you can hear is a no.

Overall, take advantage of the resources and experiences provided. The more meetings you can sit in, the events and mixers you can attend, and the people you can meet, the more successful and productive your internship will be. Similarly, each day is a new day. One with new chances, challenges, and opportunities. Embrace it.