5 Mistakes Every Intern Makes — Fashion Internship Advice

Jan 22

Jan 22 5 Mistakes Every Intern Makes

Listen. We all make mistakes, you’re only human. We strive to be perfect workers, or in your case, interns, with the ability to complete assignments at warp speed while looking as flawless as Gigi Hadid strutting downtown in Versace, expect to make mistakes. While you’re inevitably going to make them, it doesn’t mean you can’t keep an eye out for them, especially when it comes to the workplace. Here are 5 common mistakes interns make:

Lazy bones

Not all internship programs are constructed with definitive structure. You may find yourself in an internship where you only have a few daily tasks that by no means take the entire day to complete. But don’t just sit there! If you wait for something to happen, I assure you, it won’t. You’ll be sitting there all day watching the clock tick and tock at ant-like speed. Combat the mistake of sitting around and waiting by being proactive and asking if other departments need any assistance. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for more responsibilities. It shows that you are a hard worker that is willing to devote more time and effort to the position.

The concept of an e-mail

While your parents might not know the difference, you need to know that there is a BIG difference between e-mailing and texting. E-mail requires formal etiquette, actual words (no “u” or “r”s,) and full sentences. For more tips on e-mail, check out our article on the 5 basics of e-mail etiquette.

Put on your thinking cap

In class you’re encouraged to ask every little question that pops in to your pretty, little head, but it’s different at work. While questions are perfectly acceptable, take a minute and see if you can figure out the answer yourself before asking your boss. If you can’t find the answer, ask a fellow intern. If you both don’t know, then ask your boss. Better yet, create a list of question you have for your boss so you can ask him or her all at once instead of tapping their shoulder every 10 minutes.

Be constructive, not critical

When someone says “it’s not you, it’s me,” it obviously means it’s you. We automatically take every indication of wrongdoing and criticism personally, when they should be taken as a learning experience. If your boss corrects you, don’t freak out and deem yourself a failure destined to live a life of disappointment. Criticism can be constructive. Take it as a compliment that your boss cares enough to teach you the right way to do something and take their advice to heart.