Internship Tweedle DO(S) and Tweedle DUMB(S).

My lovely internees!

Now that you have mastered dressing the part for your internship (see below),

you are ready for your first day!

NOT!

This calls for a pep-talk.

Office behavior.
Ohhh that's right, I'm going there.

Many internees can get through the interview.

They land their perfect internship.

They have their notepads ready and their attire all pressed.

But when it comes to playing the part of a professional intern,

they have no clue.

And how you conduct yourself at your internship is more important than how you dress.

Actually,

IT IS THEE MOST IMPORTANT
thing.

INTERN ALICE STORY:

While I was working at a local TV station, one of my mentors filled me in about a previous intern who came in on the weekend to work on his audition tape. The station wasn't really keen on interns coming in over the weekend, but he did it anyway. The intern ended up being involved in a series of pranks, including cling-wrapping a couple of the employees cars. ENTIRELY. From every angle. They had to cut through the wrap to get in their cars. Let's do the math.

Intern + TV (when he's not supposed to be there) + Cling-Wrap + Cars + Nightshift workers

(We're talking 1 a.m./2 a.m. until 9 a.m.)

=

YOU'RE FIRED.

So. Although, I enjoy a good rousing round of pranks. Pranks at an office are a no, as you have just learned.

Also, here is another example, (perhaps a tad more violent)!

What the F&%$ was this intern thinking?

Please. No.

No, no, no, no, no.

I don't want THIS to happen to YOU.
So, to help you become the most perfect, successful little intern you can be, I have created:

THE TWEEDLE DO'S AND TWEEDLE DUMB'S

OF

OFFICE BEHAVIOR

A cornucopia of do's and dumb's (or don'ts) to help you NOT GET FIRED.

1. No cursing, even if everyone in the office does. Swearing is not classy and a potty mouth doesn't give your boss the greatest impression of you. They may not allow you on the phone if you're constantly dropping the f-bomb. Or...they may just drop you. Definitely, at your internship, watch your mouth.
2. My Mom always told me, "Keep your nose clean." Don't get caught up in the "office gossip". Take it from THE OFFICE! It's not a good idea.

3. ABSOLUTELY NO INTER-OFFICE DATING! Yes, the older women are hot! Yes, the cute account executive was flirting with you! STOP, before you get yourself into a whirlwind of trouble! Seriously. IT IS A BAD IDEA.

4. Since Social Media is extremely rampid, there are a couple of tips for this:

• Adding your boss as a Facebook friend is up to you. Intern Alice's suggestion? No. Why? Because it allows your boss into your personal life. For instance, a colleague of mine at the PR Firm added our boss as a friend and then the boss began to poke around in her personal life. Plus, things like THIS can happen. Yet, this is completely up to your disgression.
• BEING ON FACEBOOK AT WORK. Fortunately, my internship entails working on Facebook, so for me, being on Facebook is a constant thing. However, when I was at the radio station and the TV station, I never was on it. It's just not proper internship etiquette. You're there to learn, not to be on Facebook.

5. Do ask questions! Never be afraid to ask your boss (or co-worker) what to do in a certain situation. Of course, gauge the question first in order to decide who it's appropriate to ask. Normally, I stick to asking my co-workers! (Like I did when it came to my blog-ski!)

6. A few friends never hurt anyone! Some will argue that making friends at an internship is inapproprate, but I disagree! Making friends will not only be beneficial to you as an individual, but also, these lovely new peeps may be able to offer you connections when your internship comes to a close. This can also become a sticky situation, such as drinking with co-workers, which I believe is not a smart decision when you are an INTERN.

7. Don't drink and intern. No. Bad, little internee. This is a terrible idea.

8. Use your manners. Please, Thank You, May I, Excuse me, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS. These days, using manners, being genuinely kind, and civility are hard to find. (Cough, cough, Kanye West, cough cough, Joe Wilson, cough, cough.) Businesses and corporations are looking for employees that are NOT ONLY hard workers, but that are good people. And as Flannery O'Connor said, "A good man is hard to find". So use those manners! (Please.)

9. Go above and beyond. Boss-lady wants you to take out her trash, take out everyone's trash! Boss-man wants you to get coffee for him, ask everyone if they want coffee! Perhaps these are silly situations, but when an employee or boss sees you going the extra mile, THEY WILL NOTICE. And they will appreciate it! Being an intern is a privilege, prove to them you deserve it and do a little extra!

10. COMMON SENSE. COMMON SENSE. COMMON SENSE. For heaven's sake, use GOOD JUDGEMENT!

I could list 230434534530239485 things for you to do or not to do at an internship. I can give you my advice, my opinion. But what it boils down to is your own GOOD judgement. If you feel comfortable adding your boss as your friend on Facebook, more power to ya! Want to have drinks with your co-workers? Fine. But use common sense when it comes to the way you act at the office.

Don't be a Tweedle Dee or Tweedle Dum when it comes to your office, act like a professional. Smile! Be kind! Don't get wrapped up in the unwanted gossip or petty arguements. Watch your mouth. Be aware. Don't look at porn on your office computer!

With the help of these tips, you're well on your way to your first day as a fabulous intern!

Stay tuned for more helpful hints from yours truly!

Happy interning!

Love, Alice