- Don't be afraid to talk with people.
- Ask for things to do.
- Learn all you can about the industry.
- Read everything you can get your hands on.
- Don't gripe about the grunt work.
- Milk the fact that you are a student.
- Hitch your wagon to a star.
- Get in the information loop.
- Ask to attend meetings and events.
- Don't burn any bridges.
Don't be intimidated because you are a student. People are sometimes too busy to roll out the red carpet so you have to make the first move to talk with coworkers and supervisors.
Don't wait to be told what to do. Solving problems and taking initiative are the best ways to stand out from the crowd.
Talk with people in different departments as well as clients and vendors.
You won't find everything you need to know in the training manual. Reading contracts, letters, memos, press releases and trade publications will help you become informed on all elements of the business.
There is always something more to learn. How long you do grunt work depends on what you make of it. Everything has a purpose, so learn how the small tasks fit into the big picture.
As a student, you aren't threatening and can have more access and opportunities than a full-time employee. Everyone wants to help a student learn.
Learn from the people who are the superstar performers and most respected individuals in the office.
Decisions aren't always made in a conference room.
You will learn how things really get done.
You never know when you will see someone later in your career.
This article originally appeared on MonsterTrak.com
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