Listen, intern

Author: Jin Yu Xuefang

It has nothing to do with what you're going to learn this fall.

In fact, the vast majority of you will be doing the work that will not teach you anything noteworthy. Most of the content is something you already know, or common sense in your field.

What really matters is not what you want to learn, but who you are going to meet!

Please understand: When you enter this internship or this job, maximize the number of people you meet in the company.

Yes, your skills are important, but your career depends almost entirely on the relationships you build. Too many people start their first job thinking they'll learn something about advertising, marketing, media, or entrepreneurship. Sure, you'll learn something – but that's only 3% of the equation.

Here's how to attack the other 97%: go to the event every hour after. Say hello to everyone. If everyone in your office has their heads down, and not that culture, find a way to meet people. Maybe it's a one-on-one hook-up and then take them out for lunch. Maybe chatting with them outside of work. Maybe it's connecting yourself with someone who is sociable and asking them to introduce you to other people. Whatever you do, be sure to let others know you exist.

To get more background information, you can even map everyone in the office and follow where they are on social media. Spend 15 to 40 hours figuring out everyone's social media accounts, especially those on Twitter, and then focus on what they care about and share. If they're talking about the NBA playoffs, you can say "Hey, notice you said something about the Warriors' XYZ" and start the conversation (depending on what you like).

You can think differently about the needs of others. For example, when you walk through the office at 6:47 p.m. and you see people sitting at their desks or offices, you can look them in the face and say, "Hey, I'm an intern." You may think that the time I spent training is more valuable than I would be rewarded with, but if I could do something for you, I'd love to help you right now. ”

This is just a question, and whether you can help is the return on investment.

Maybe your personality is too "lively" and too noisy. If that's you, don't be afraid to be that energetic "nasty" intern! What most people don't understand is that even though 98% of people hate your positivity and offense, the 2% who are connected to you at the end of the day is really important.

Put in real effort to build relationships. Spending 40 hours researching colleagues' interests and social profiles is far more valuable than researching how to use Excel or how to post on Facebook. These skills will come, and you can learn them through various videos or articles if you need them.

An internship is an incredible opportunity. What matters is how you take advantage of the opportunity. A lot of people are thinking, "My internship didn't teach me this, and my internship didn't help me learn that." ”

Instead of worrying about what your company and their internship isn't doing, look in the mirror and think about what you can do to win the internship.

Because people create great companies. People make great friends. People know each other. People can help you. The employees you meet in the office who go to work elsewhere, or the manager of your department, or your friends who work for the company you admire, will make a big difference.

Your efforts, your greetings, your handshakes will all have a huge impact on your career.

The guy you're having coffee with, the guy you're on the elevator with, the guy who's having lunch with you on your first day, might give you a life-changing opportunity after 5 years. It's crazy to change everything in 3 minutes. One of the 36 interns you work with today is likely to continue working and become an executive. One of them will be a cousin to the next CEO. One of them may attend your wedding.

It is a world created by people. Go meet them.

Good luck!!!