A realistic expectation for any internship is that boredom can occur. The most common reason is in timing: an intern arrives at the site before tasks are fully developed or the on-site mentor is called away just as the intern is arriving. The result is often that the intern is put "on hold."
The wise intern's best reaction is to have patience. Be certain that your supervisors know that you are in waiting mode, and then settle in for the wait. You may be offered a manual or two to read, or you can use the time on your own to fully explore the organization's web site.
Keep a good humor about the situation! Say "I'm eager to begin my tasks," instead of "I'm bored." Everyone at the site will appreciate your attitude.
Exotic internships—like archaeological digs—are certainly possible for college students. As a movie this summer demonstrated, archaeology does have requirements, though! In the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, the character Bridget went to Turkey for her internship. She planned far in advance, which is typical for an internship involving international travel. Her experience was well documented as demanding patience, attention, and a humble attitude. The other internship in this movie was the character Carmen's lucky, last-minute acceptance at a theatre festival in Vermont. Last minute? Lucky? The movie accurately portrayed this college student as not applying in a timely manner. She relied on an insider to get her into the program. That's a feature of dramatic license—real college students rarely enjoy that level of coincidence and luck! The movie's treatment of internships was entertaining and at least hinted at the pragmatic steps you must take to land an exotic assignment.
1 - Start early. For an international internship, a year's advance planning may be needed.
2 - Educate yourself on requirements. Not just application requirements, although those are important, too. But also ask yourself the hard questions about how you will fit in. Do you have the patience for the very slow work of archaeology? Are you prepared to be at the lowest rank and therefore assigned the most boring tasks? Not all digs are large in scope; are you prepared for the small job, possibly the one that doesn't even involve digging?
3 - Understand the sacrifices that will be involved. International or remote locations may mean living without cell phones, or even electricity! What creature comforts can you give up for several months?
Even if it's not a dig you are seeking, use the style of questions here to examine your suitability to the internship you dream of. Research the details so that your expectations will be realistic ones.
When it's the only thing a client notices about you.
When is that a plus?
When your client is a teen or pre-teen girl.
Female college interns are often warned to wear minimal cosmetic make-up on the job. Sometimes make-up can be a distraction or give the wrong message. But there's one circumstance when an intern's choice of make-up can have powerful positive effect: when the intern is working with young girls.
The opportunity to model good grooming. If you are working with an "impressionable" group, that means you will be the one making the impression. In American culture, appearance continues to be a primary concern for teen and pre-teen girls. Rather than fight what some critics call a materialistic or superficial mindset, you can use it to advantage. Think about what messages your clothing, hair, jewelry, and make-up convey to young people. Your appearance and your comments about your appearance will make a lasting impression.
Appropriateness. Don't give a lecture about appropriateness. Demonstrate it and casually refer to it. "In the day time, I don't wear much make-up. I save the eyeliner for when I go to parties."
Cost. Along the same vein, don't lecture about spending. Instead, give tips. "When I was your age, I thought I needed a dozen skin care products. When I limited that to two, I had more money for shoes!"
Tip for clothing. Don't surprised if your young clientele tracks what you wear. You may need to keep track of your outfits and rotate them accordingly!
Healthier treats are welcomed if they are non-perishable.
Finger foods are preferred over items requiring utensils and plates.
Shared treats in the break room are almost always welcomed. When are they not? When they go uneaten. Then, the employee group feels bad about wasted food, and the cleaning staff comes to resent messy and smelly left-overs.
College interns at the site should not feel obligated to bring in treats. If you feel compelled to contribute, keep it simple: cookies or cupcakes will do. To make sure that your treat is used, ask your mentor or the intern coordinator when you can bring a provision. "I want to share my famous gingerbread cookies—what day or meeting would be a good time for that?"
Ingredient warnings. Even for the simplest food provision, always include an index card on the platter that mentions the ingredients. Even a peanut butter cookie that "looks" like peanut butter deserves a label in order to warn people with allergies to that famous ingredient. Other labels might be, jalapeno pepper cornbread, hot sauce on the side, walnuts inside.
Holiday themes. In many, many places a holiday theme for food or decoration is common. But not in all places! If your internship site does not display holiday items, don't bring in your own until you ask your mentor. Your favorite Halloween cookies may not be welcome, so ask first!
In the workplace, customary attire may be written into a policy, or...
It may be communicated strictly through example.
What is typical?
No shorts. No skin.
At some workplaces, no bare arms. Even in summer!
Jewelry and make-up to "fit in" with colleagues and clients.
I like to decorate myself.
Piercings are still not widely accepted by employers.
Tattoos are tolerated more but a boss may ask you to cover them.
Jewelry is easiest because you can take it off, if necessary.
Fitting in. American society puts a lot of stock in personal expression but the internship (just like the first job) may not be the best place to make a personal fashion statement. As an intern, you begin as a guest in a new environment. As you learn the culture of your site, you may be able to display your individual preferences for dress and appearance. To start, though, a better strategy is to "fit in" and appear more conventional.
Casual Friday. Even heading into a workplace that advertises a casual dress code on Fridays deserves a conservative attitude. Wait until you see the attire on the first Friday! Your idea of casual may be different from your site supersivor's. Maybe shorts are allowed, or maybe an open-toed sandal is the maximum casual allowed.
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