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Internship Behavior You Might Live to Regret!Denning McTague, the 40-year old intern who stole more than 150 Civil War documents - including the War Department's announcement of President Lincoln's death - from the National Archives of Philadelphia is a shining example of what NOT to do while onAs the summer approaches and summer internship season for college students kick into high gear, it?s a good time to recap some don?ts to which interns might want to pay closer attention. Don?t get too personal and think you are one of the guys. You?re not. You are still in test mode and the relationship can still be terminated mid internship. Interns need to understand that as much as the company wants them to feel comfortable being there, they are still not really a part of the team. Be very cautious about getting into conversations that are too personal. Avoid becoming a knot in the office grapevine and do not become a part of the rumor mill. Keep your interactions professional. Try the following to exit a conversation that you think is heading in the wrong direction: ?I need to ?I want to put some more time in on the xyz project today, nice talking with you? ?I wanted to speak with xyz before lunch? Don?t answer your cell phone every single time it rings. We get it ? You?re important to people who need to call you about everything, every time. Some companies have put guidelines in place that attempt to limit the use of personal cell phones or even the appearance of cell phones in the work place. This millennial generation is so used to staying in touch and connected with each other that the tendency is great to want to pick up a ringing phone at anytime or any place. One recent intern with whom I worked, would continually ask me to hold my thoughts while she answered her calls. This continued even after repeatedly being told that her personal cell phone needed to be off or on vibrate during work time. Not only does your phone need to be on pause, but you need to avoid overdoing instant messaging and social networking sites like Myspace.com or Facebook.com. Many organizations plan team building activities for their group of college interns. These could run anywhere from a trip to the ballpark, a museum or a concert hall. Many such outings will include the opportunity for meals and drinks. Over indulging with the alcohol whether or not you are buying is a definite no-no even if perceived that everyone else is doing it. In fact, interns should be very aware that these social events are just another opportunity for the employer to observe their behavior in a group and make note of their level of social savvy. Don?t refuse assignments that you perceive to be beneath you. One of my first interactions with an intern several years ago was with a Graphic Design student who, in response to the Art Director who asked him to clean up a work area, stated, ?I?m an artist and I don?t file. Someone else can do that?. Needless to say he was relieved of his opportunity by the end of the week. No one who understands the value of the internship to the student and the organization wants to abuse the intern?s energy and time. However, refusing to do certain work that you might consider menial is not acceptable. A better approach might be to do the assignment when asked and check in with your college career center and get some advice as to how to proceed, if you think you are being abused. Also look to see if the behavior you are thinking is beneath you is part of the office protocols for others. Don?t correct your boss in public, and think seriously about doing it in private also. One very bright I knew who worked for a major pharmaceutical firm had an extremely difficult and uncomfortable time after pointing out a spreadsheet error her boss had made in a meeting with senior managers. Although she was lauded publicly for catching the error before the client did, the rest of her time with the organization was unbearable. Don?t get involved with an office romance. This is not the time or the place. In Vault's 2003 Office Romance Survey, over 1,000 professionals at companies nationwide were asked to say under which circumstances an office romance would be unacceptable. 11% said that an office romance with an intern would not be appropriate. We all probably still have vivid memories of a very public office romance in Washington DC between an intern, a very senior official and a little blue dress. It is so much better to be remembered for your contributions rather than to be the talk of the office. Fortunately for most college students, an internship can produce real value for organizations and great opportunities for them. In the case of McTague, who has helped officials recover most of the missing items and plans to plead guilty; his internships will lead to jail time. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com BullseyeResumes.com provides free online resume advice for High School students and grads;College students and grads; Career Training and Vocational students and grads; Hourly/Skilled employees and Career Re-entry Professionals. Resume and Interview FAQs included for each group of jobseekers to enhance interview preparation and job readiness. www.bullseyeresumes.com Permalink: http://expert-talk.com/tips/459/internship-behavior-you-might-live-to-regret-4459.htm Related Tips and Advices
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