top-3-things-to-do-as-an-incoming-intern

So you landed the internship — huge win! 🎉 Now what? Whether it’s your first internship or your fifth, making the most of your time starts before the first day. Internships aren’t just about checking tasks off a to-do list — they’re your backstage pass to the professional world. Want to stand out and build real momentum for your career? Start here:1️⃣ Book Coffee Chats Early (Yes, Even Virtual Ones) Your team might be busy, but most people love taking 15–20 minutes to chat about what they do, how they got there, or just swap music recs and talk weekend plans. Reaching out for casual coffee chats (or virtual meet-and-greets) early on helps you build relationships fast and makes those Slack convos way less awkward later. Pro tip: Don’t just talk work. Ask about their favorite project, how they got started, or even what they wish they knew as an intern. People remember curiosity and good vibes.2️⃣ Track Your Highlights from Day One You’d be surprised how quickly you forget the awesome stuff you worked on. From small wins to major projects, keep a running doc of what you’re contributing to, any positive feedback you get, and key results (bonus points for metrics).Why? When it’s time to update your resume, write a LinkedIn post, or prep for your final intern presentation, you’ll already have everything ready to go. It’s basically your personal brag sheet — and you deserve it.3️⃣ Network Beyond Your Team You’ll probably work closely with your direct team, but don’t stop there. Use this internship to explore other departments, career paths, and people doing work you’re curious about. Send a quick message like: “Hey! I’m interning with [Team] this summer and would love to learn more about what you do at [Company]. Would you be open to a 15-minute chat sometime next week?”Simple, effective, and most people will say yes. You never know who might help you land your next role, recommend you for a project, or just give great advice.<hr>Final Thoughts Internships are more than a resume line — they’re your chance to build connections, confidence, and clarity on what you want next. Be proactive, stay curious, and take those extra steps to get to know your coworkers (and yourself). Start strong, keep a record, and remember: the best interns don’t just do the job — they own the experience.

So you landed the internship — huge win! 🎉 Now what?

Top 3 Things to Do as an Incoming Intern

College life, often hailed as the best years of one's life, can truthfully be a crucible for mental health. It's time to realize and address this reality that hundreds of thousands of students experience, and talk about real ways for students to cope with this. Let's validate the struggles that too many students are dealing with everyday, and realistic ways you could go about coping! The Silent StruggleCollege is a time of intense transformation. It's the journey towards independence, a pursuit of knowledge, and self-exploration. But beneath the surface, many students find themselves battling with the silent monster: mental health issues. Depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges are prevalent on campuses across the globe, affecting students from all walks of life. Your best friend can be living with this struggle, it can be the girl sitting next to you during meeting, or the guy sitting in the front of the lecture asking questions - you will never know how many people around you are truly struggling.The Weight of Expectations and the Loneliness of Suffering&nbsp;One of the culprits is the pressure cooker of expectations. We're told that college is the gateway to success, that every moment should be cherished, and that we should be at the peak of our happiness. But the reality is that academic rigor, financial strain, and the struggle to fit in can cast a shadow on our mental well-being.&nbsp;And while social media and Gen-Z have exponentially normalized the conversation of being a “depressed girly 💅🏻” and make jokes about our declining mental health, the day-to-day is a massive, lonely struggle of internal turmoil. Gen-Z may have broken the stigma of mental health, but for many it has become a punchline - a self-deprecating joke that is then swiftly brushed under the rug to move onto the next thing. For others, the pressure to maintain an image of effortless success prevents many from seeking help or sharing their struggles. In both worlds, we must break this silence and cycle of brushing off the struggle, and instead, address the struggle head on.&nbsp;So, What Next?&nbsp;In a world where academic success is celebrated, let's also celebrate the courage it takes to face our inner demons. In doing so, we can transform college into a time of growth, empowerment, and resilience. We, like yourselves, have heard of all the idealistic and proper ways of dealing with mental health in college. We know though, a lot of those solutions may not match up with your reality. Maybe you have no way of affording professional help or medications. Maybe you can't afford to take less classes next semester. Maybe have you had the worst college counselor experience (it’s a canon event) and are traumatized to ask for more help. So here are some ideas you may not have tried yet, some realistic bandaids, and some out-of-the-box things to try for the sake of finding one thing that helps:Friendly disclaimer that dealing with your mental health is a boatload of work regardless, and creating change within takes time and dedication... but you can do it! 1️⃣ Seek Support Early:Say you’ve recently started struggling more than normal - don’t ignore it and hope it goes away! It’s always easier to deal with issues in its baby stages head on. Reach out to your college’s counseling or mental health services to see what resources may be available to you (and p.s. most of them are free). This is also a great time to reach out to friends and family you trust to open up about your struggles. Sometimes the best remedy is a good shoulder to cry on and a wise soul with wise advice to help you with your struggles!2️⃣ Manage Your Time: Create a realistic schedule to balance academics, social life, and self-care<ul><li>Protect your peace and learn to say NO to social, academic, and professional events that you don’t actually want to go to or is not healthy for you to be at in the moment</li></ul> 3️⃣ Prioritize Self-Care:<ul><li>Get adequate sleep, nutrition, and exercise: create concrete chunks of time in your calendar for meal breaks and exercise, even if it’s a 10 minute walk outside!</li><li>Practice mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing to reduce anxiety: try free resources like Spotify, Headspace, Youtube, and even TikTok! All you need is a good 5-10 of a good meditation or breathing exercise to make your mind and body feel more relaxed</li></ul> 4️⃣ Set Realistic Expectations:<ul><li>Understand that perfection is not attainable</li><li>It’s better to try and fail than not try at all, so don’t let things that don’t work out get you down!</li><li>Set achievable goals and break tasks into smaller, manageable steps</li></ul> 5️⃣ Connect Socially:<ul><li>Build a support network by participating in clubs, organizations, or sports; you won’t find a healthy support system without going out to find it!</li><li>Make time for friends and reach out when you need someone to talk to - they care about you and want you to be okay!</li></ul> 6️⃣ Communicate with Professors:<ul><li>If you're facing challenges, inform your professors early and discuss accommodations if needed - most professors are understanding and willing to help students in crisis</li></ul> 7️⃣ Be Kind to Yourself:<ul><li>Celebrate all your wins, small ones and big ones</li><li>Understand that setbacks are part of the college experience, and it's okay to make mistakes</li></ul> 8️⃣ Consider Professional Help:<ul><li>If your mental health struggles persist or worsen, don't hesitate to seek therapy or eventually medication. Issues like depression are a chemical change in your brain - you cannot fully control it, and therefore sometimes the solution is to get medical help!</li></ul> Remember, you are not alone in facing mental health challenges in college. Your mental health matters, and there are resources available to support you along the way. The great thing about college is that there are so many free and available resources for you to get educated and get help.&nbsp; Your mental health is not a weakness; it's a facet of our overall well-being. It's as real as physical health, and seeking help for mental health issues should be as natural as visiting a doctor when you’re sick. We see and hear you in your struggles, and we hope you can find the strength to do what’s necessary in helping yourself! Stay strong, students!

+ practical ways to deal with mental health in college!

to-stress-or-not-to-stress_-mental-health-and-college

College 101: To Stress or Not to Stress (mental health & college)

When you think of networking, you may be thinking of putting on a suit and entering a formal, uncomfortable place. Maybe you think, “what do I even say?” or “why would anyone meet with me?” But networking doesn’t have to be so scary (or formal). Every student has access to the best network of your life - your college campus. In recent years, the concept of networking has become synonymous with high-stress and high-pressure events, which can hinder rather than enhance your professional journey. But, so much as striking a conversation with the student next to you in class or a friend-of-a-friend you meet at a social can lead to connections you can’t even imagine. Your next internship or job could even come from those living around you right now! To help you make that first step in networking as a college student, we’ll dive into some easy actions you can take in your day-to-day life on campus to start building your network!&nbsp; Let’s Start by Depressurizing NetworkingIn today's fast-paced, hyper-competitive world, the word "networking" often evokes images of polished professionals, networking events, and business cards exchanged like commodities. This image can be intimidating, especially for college students who are just beginning their journey into the professional world. However, it's vital to understand that networking is not merely a means to an end; it's a connection that can and should be personalized to be most effective.&nbsp;Let’s re-wire “networking” in college to “making new friends,” because a crucial step in networking is nurturing these relationships like you would with peers! Not every connection you make needs to have a purpose right now, nor do they need to be someone you hang out with socially. But, being nice to everyone and establishing a rapport can create a relationship you both can rely on professionally, like a symbiotic relationship! 3 Things to Think About Before You Start!1️⃣ Remember That Networking is About Building Relationships, Not TransactionsThe most significant aspect of depressurizing networking is to shift your focus from transactions to relationships. Think of it as cultivating meaningful connections with people who share your interests and values. Rather than viewing every interaction as an opportunity to get something for yourself, approach it as a chance to learn, engage, and connect on a personal level.In college, you're surrounded by a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about various fields and subjects. By engaging in meaningful conversations, you can gain fresh insights, perspectives, and even lifelong friends! 2️⃣ Authenticity Over SuperficialityIn the age of social media, we've grown accustomed to carefully curated profiles and personas. But when it comes to networking in college, authenticity is your most important tool. A genuine connection with someone is far more powerful and fulfilling than superficial interactions based on masks or pretenses.3️⃣ Diverse Connections Enrich Your College ExperienceIn college, networking isn't just about mingling with future professionals in your field - it's about exploring diverse perspectives and broadening your horizons. Engage with students from different majors, backgrounds, and cultures. You'll discover that every person you meet can teach you something new. These diverse connections can expose you to different ideas, interests, and opportunities you might not have considered otherwise.&nbsp; Now How Do I Do This?Here are 5 low-effort step in how to network effectively in college:1️⃣ Attend Campus Events:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Participate in club meetings, organization activities, and social events on campus&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Join student organizations related to your interests and academic goals 2️⃣ Study Groups:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Form or join study groups for your classes&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Collaborate with peers on coursework, share knowledge and experiences 3️⃣ Reach out to Professors:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Establish connections with professors by attending office hours or just introducing yourself&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Professors can be valuable mentors, provide guidance and resources for future internships and research opportunities4️⃣ Attend Career Fairs:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Participate in college career fairs to meet potential employers and network with students pursuing similar career paths5️⃣ Alumni Networking:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Explore opportunities to connect with alumni who can offer guidance and mentorship in getting jobs you want that they already do&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;- Alumni often have valuable insights that can help you learn more about real-world jobs Networking in college is an invaluable resource for personal and professional development. By depressurizing the process and focusing on building genuine, meaningful relationships, you can create a network that enriches your college experience and sets the stage for a successful future!

Your neighbor could be a player for your future success...

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