4 weeks into my internship and I’m ready to pass on my gyan to fellow mortals on the earth:
- Never say ‘I hate shopping’ when your supervisor takes you to DKNY to choose a dress for a wedding.
- Never show excitement on the ‘60% off – Levi’s sale’ when they’re excited about Nine West’s shoe sale (where, incidentally, $150 shoes after discount make them go ‘whoooo!’)
- Never give frank opinions – smile and go ‘Wow, you must get this!’ even when the shoes are hideously-golden and oh-my-god-how-can-you-walk-on-these heels.
- If there is a way to leave the office without the concerned being able to see you, always use it.
- When asked why you don’t drink (in case you don’t), never say ‘It smells bad’. Instead think of other ways like ‘The smell is strong and gives me breathing problems’
- Never loudly choke/cough if someone who smokes stands next to you and talks to you. Instead, hold your breath and nod to show that you’re paying attention.
- Never chuckle when they make fun of someone else. Who knows, they may be making fun of you when you’re not there, and it stings to know someone else is chuckling like you, at you!
- Never, ever give it away that you’re jobless. Even if you have nothing to do, just pick up a relevant report and pore over it. Make notes, highlight, say you’re learning more about the client. Walk hither and thither, to and from the photocopy room. But never let them catch you jobless. If they ask ‘Are you busy?’, say ‘A bit; anyways, what’s it? I can try to do it when I’m done with this!’
- If you think you have a better way of doing something, make sure the relevant person hears it, not the one who gives you that work to do, because not many people are fond of listening to interns coming up with smart ideas.
More to come. Watch out! Work is good. Even though the pay is not quite satisfactory and I have to stay back at times, looks like they’re finally starting to trust me and give me other work than just photocopying/printing stuff. Well yeah, 20 weeks left. I’ve been counting ever since day one, so don’t look at the 20 weeks and go ‘I knew it; she’s crazy!’
