How To Be A

Successful
Intern
A Guidebook

Created by:
Amanda Swartzmiller

A Guidebook on
How To Be A
Successful Intern
20 tips to help you through
your first internship.
By,
Amanda Swartzmiller

My mentor Kevin Stoller and me

Be prepared for the minimum

requirements of the job before
you start your first day. Become
knowledgeable in the everyday
tasks you will be performing as to make
your transition into the workplace easier.
Understand there is time to learn new
skills, however, you will find yourself
falling behind during the first week if
you are still trying to figure out how
to use the office phone or scanner.

These are actual responsabilities of an

on-campus representative position. Be
realistic and ensure you can meet the
minimum expectations before applying.

It is always better to over dress

than to underdress. It shows
you take your position seriously,
and has you always looking
professional.

After seeing your superiors and coworkers attire, you can adjust your
attire accordingly.

When entering a new work

environment, it is important to take
time to learn the office culture.
All workplaces are unique with
their own environment and staff.
It is important to learn and observe the
unwritten rules of the office, making the
transition easier.

Internships often offer a sense

of self-direction. Do not take
advantage of your independence
at work. It shows great work ethic
if you are still trying your hardest
when no one is looking. Utilize your down
time wisely and stay productive.

Use your internship to find what

works for you. Branch out and
explore new programs to see
what best fits your learning and
working styles. New programs
my internship exposed to me include:
BaseCamp, Qualtrics, InDesign, Seelio, etc.

As an intern you will have many

questions. Mentors do understand
this, but they are also very
busy themselves. If you need a
different source, utilize the head
office receptionist. They are well-trained
in the majority of the computer programs
you use, along with simply knowing where
everything is in the office and how it works.

An intern should be flexible and

adaptable. Your instructions may
change on a dime, and you need
to be ready to scratch everything
and start over.

Network and remember the

connections you make. If your
department often works with
the same vendors, try to find a
steady contact you can connect
with each time so you can then build a
relationship. Remember, connections get
you hired.

Use any self-help videos and

tutorials that are available online.
We are constantly creating and
learning new programs that often get
confusing. Rather than annoying your boss
or office staff with questions, or struggling
to teach yourself, find the answers online.

Lynda.com has great training videos for many

different programs.

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Keep a to-do list. Whether it is

on the computer, your phone,
or paper, make and update a
to-do list throughout your internship.

BaseCamp is a great way to

collaborate on projects, keep track
of your work, help build a portfolio
or resume, and keep a running
to-do list.

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Take notes. When talking to

your mentor, boss, or any
other department parties, take
notes on directions they give you so you
can refer back to them later.

A sheet of notes from one of my department meetings.

We were discussing planning our event.

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When presenting an idea to

your boss, present multiple
options. This way they can
decide what multiple elements they do and
do not like. Rather than getting a response
consisting of just yes or no, you are more
likely to get in-depth feedback to create the
final product more efficiently.

Two different
invitaion options
I created and
presented to my
boss.

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Before you enter a meeting

or phone conversation, be
prepared. Have your notes
and thoughts written out and organized.
If you get nervous or distracted, having
these in front of you can help keep you on
the right track.

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There is nothing worse than

receiving an email full of
typos, making it seem like
you are working with someone less than
professional. Dont be this person. Check
and re-check the emails you send out.
Helpful hint: send your emails to your office
receptionist or boss to look over and give
you feedback. Or CC them to your email so
they can see what you are sending out. This
also shows your recipient that the topic is
important because there are more people
involved in the conversation.

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When someone emails or calls

you back, remember to follow
up and send thank yous to
practice professional communication.
People enjoy helping and are more likely to
do so again in the future if you treat them
with respect and genuinity.

An e-mail exchange between a member of the

OSU Athletic Department and myself.

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Days can get long and drag on

and on. It is important to keep
some extra pick me ups around
your office for those hard-to-stay-awake
afternoons. Whether it be coffee, Red Bull, or
caffeinated tea, no boss likes to see a tired or
sluggish employee drifting off to sleep on the
clock. It is important that you are not only
awake at work but attentive and sharp as
well.

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When setting up different

contracts with vendors, it
is important shop around
and compare prices,
options, and quality. Comparable
shopping will save you money, which
will also make your boss happy.

After comparing set up, staffing, timing, and takedown prices, we found the perfect vendor.
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If planning an event, do
research on vendors,
locations, and other details
early. Set a timeline to
follow to ensure everything
is done on time. These are the steps
necessary in getting these details finalized:
1) Shop around and decide what you
specifically want.
2) Request a contract from the vendor.
3) Send the contract to PaCS (Procurement
and Contract Services), who signs
contracts for any vendor outside of OSU.
4) Send the signed contract back to the
vendor.
5) Have the vendor sign the same contract.
This process takes a long time because of
all the steps, so begin as soon as possible.

Start

Finish

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While setting up events

consisting of two or more
parties, ensure continuity
by keeping both physical
and electronic copies of all agreements,
contracts, and official statements.

My team kept all our important files in a

shared space online along with a file
folder in our office.
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Constantly apply the new

skills youve learned. You
will always be receiving
feedback on ways to improve your skills, so
apply them! This shows you are listening and
striving to become a better employee.

For example, I used a program I learned from my

internship to create this book.

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Meet The
Staff
of the

University Honors College

LeeAnn Baker

Director of Student Success

and Engagement

Experience with the UHC: I have been working with the

UHC since fall of 2003. I started as a graduate
teaching assistant organizing student
events, trips and leadership
experiences. I then became an
advisor and kept all of the student
life types of initiatives. Now, I work
with the entire UHC team to make
the UHC experience as engaging and
rewarding as possible both inside and
outside of the
classroom.
Best part about working in the UHC:
The students!
Advice for first-time interns: Work smart and commit to
improving every day. It will lead to great opportunities!

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Judy David

Administrative Office Coordinator

Experience with the UHC: Has been with
the UHC since 2013.
Best part about working in the UHC:
Great staff!
Advice for first-time interns: Start
every day with a good attitude and
willingness to learn!

Toni Doolen
Dean

Experience with the UHC: Was Associate Dean 20102012. Became Dean in 2012.
Best part about working in the UHC: The students,
the dedicated faculty and committed staff. I also
enjoy the fact that we collaborate with all the
other academic colleges and many other central
units. This gives you a cross-campus
purview that is
inspiring.
Advice for first-time interns: Dont be
afraid to ask questions. You wont
know everything. Dont be afraid to
offer suggestions. Being an outsider
often gives you a perspective that
those who have been in the
organization dont have.

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Kevin Stoller
Director of External Relations
and Operations
Experience with the UHC: I have
been with the UHC for five years.
I was hired as the Executive
Assistant to the Dean for Student
Engagement. My job changed to
Director of External Relations and
Operationsin fall, 2013.
Best part about working in the
UHC: Working with students
and building relationships with
them.
Advice for first-time interns: Dont be nervous
to ask questions, make mistakes, and try new
things! Internships are about learning and
growth.

More University Honors College

Staff include:
Gildha Cummings
Tara Williams
Kassena Hillman

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Michelle McAllister
Leanna Dillon
Eric Hill
Rebekah Lancelin

About the Author

My name is Amanda Swartzmiller and I will be graduating
from Oregon State University in Spring, 2016. I am majoring in
Sociology with an option in Crime and Justice. Along with school
and work, I spend my time as an active member of Kappa Alpha
Theta, a Panhellenic sorority here at Oregon State. Currently,
I am an intern for PROMISE, which stands for Professional
and Managerial Internships in State Employment. My position
is with Kevin Stoller, the Director of External Relations and
Operations at the University Honors College located on campus.
I have the pleasure of connecting
with alumni and seeing their areas
of professional and educational
growth since graduating from OSU. I
am also the project manager for the
20th anniversary celebration for the
Honors College. PROMISE has been
an extremely rewarding experience
and I am very excited to take my
new knowledge and skills and
apply them to my next professional
position.

PROMISE

Founded and offered annually since

First picture in my office!
1992. In alignment with OSUs
goal 1 of the 2014-2018 strategic plan: Transformative
Educational Experience, the PROMISE program is rooted
in a commitment to support intellectual, professional and
personal development to prepare Oregon State graduates for
responsible and productive citizenship in a global society.

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