What Every Intern Needs this Summer

Summer internships are almost a rite of passage in the corporate world. They’re a great way to get your foot int he door at a company or help determine your direction in an industry. Here is a list of things you’ll need as a summer intern and beyond!

Hello Lovelies!

I’m doing something a little different with today’s post and sharing some must have pieces for those of you who are interning this summer. We recognize we have readers in different stages of their career and most of us have started as an intern. Personally, there were things I wish I knew before starting an internship but had to learn the hard way so I’m throwing out some #MAJORKEYS here! This list is a mix of wardrobe and office must haves so even if you aren’t an intern you can benefit from some of these things too! So here we go!

The Proper Work Ensemble

The first day of your new internship or job can be very intimidating, especially if you don’t know what to wear. I always dress to impress on the first day and get a feel for what the office environment is like to determine what my wardrobe will be going forward. Some absolute must haves for your internship are: a (black) blazer, tailored pants, modest blouses & of course some nice work dresses. I’ve learned that as an intern, your superiors are really looking at you and how seriously you take your position. By dressing like you’re a salaried employee you automatically catch their attention and your excellent work is more likely to be noticed as a result.

A Good Work Bag

Don’t even waste your time with tiny purses! Make sure you snag yourself a sturdy, oversize tote or nice backpack to carry everything you’ll need. As an intern, you’ll most likely get a ton of welcome packets, project binders, and other reading material that will make you feel like you’re on campus again. Larger bags are also necessary if you get a laptop for work since you’re likely to be taking it home with you on a daily basis. Links to work bags here, here & here

Flat Shoes!

This is a real thing! Heels are cute of course but if you’re the intern that has to run a lot of errands or work in a fast paced office the heels will become a nuisance! Comfortable flats will be your savior, even if you just toss a pair into your work bag as a “just in case”. If you’re taking public transportation to work you’ll probably want to wear flats to work anyway since you have to walk to and from buses and/or trains. You could opt for gym shoes for your commute but chances are you won’t be able to wear them while you’re at the office so your best bet is to have flats on hand.

A Planner/Journal

I will be the first to admit that I’ve never been great with planners. I tend to fall off at some point but over the years I’ve gotten better with keeping up with them. I know technology is taking over but let’s be honest, sometimes you need to write things down on paper to really help you remember a task, meeting or deadlines. Keeping a planner during your internship will help you get into the habit of being more organized and when I tell you organization makes a HUGE difference in your life I mean it! If you’re not a fan of a traditional planner you can keep a journal or bullet journal as well to feed your creative spirit and jot down quick notes when need be.

**Always carry at least one writing utensil with you as well. You don’t want to get caught slacking at a time when you should be taking notes.

A Positive Attitude

This probably sounds very cliche but you absolutely need to come in every day with a positive attitude. If you had a rough morning or are upset about something going on in your personal life, leave it at the door. Your whole team will notice if you come in with an unpleasant attitude and you run the risk of it rubbing off or people not wanting to work with you. As an intern, you want people to see that you can separate business from personal and you don’t let things shake you easily.