Isabel
What is one invaluable lesson you learned at a job or internship?
job #first-job #job #summer-jobs #college-jobs #jobs #internships
18 answers
Vaidehi Dave
Vaidehi’s Answer
I learned to believe in myself from my past job and internships. I always used to think people know so much and I am nothing compare to other people. I always used to compare how well people can put their thoughts out there and impress people. I was always introvert. But I was amazed how much people liked the qualities I had that I had to offer while at job and internships. I did make sure I work hard and stand for my team when needed even over times, sacrificing vacations once in a while and made friends (in a small group whenever I could). After a few years, it's amazing that I am still in touch with many of my colleges. They still talk about how great employee and a friend I became for them. I learned to believe in myself. Do not underestimate yourself and keep learning. Be humble and kind to people. You don't have to make an effort for people to like you. They will like to anyways.
Good luck!
Amanda Bennett
Amanda’s Answer
I'll never forget a quote that a friend of mine made when working at a company years ago. "When you are the only one answering the questions in the room, it's time to find a new room." This company I worked at years ago didn't treat their employees well. I produced wonderful results for them, but the management was horrible. I worked hard to be promoted and was eventually promoted after fighting tooth and nail for every step I got... after 7 years and a couple bad bosses later, I started to wonder why I was there. I was answering most of the questions in the room and realized that I needed to find a new room, and a purpose. I allowed myself to be too comfortable with my job. I wasn't learning anything new and I wasn't growing. It was past time to find a new job.
So don't settle. It's nice to feel like you have job security, but no job is secure. Find opportunities that will help you grow and don't ever settle.
Cara Maisel
Cara’s Answer
That's a great question! One invaluable lesson is having a "positive/can do attitude." It goes a long way! I've seen people who don't have this and do not go far. Having this positive attitude will show your boss and colleagues that you're willing to work hard and to do anything that is asked of you. Your boss will trust you more and give you more responsibility if you have this positive attitude.
Victor Pinto
Victor’s Answer
I did 2 internships when I was in college 1 in Marketing at a Health Center and one in HR/Recruiting at a local family owned company. I think the first lesson I learned is that in real life not everything goes according to what they teach you in college. There were issues that came up where you just have to think through it and come up with a solution that make sense.
Another lesson that I learned is that I learned is the importance of having a good reputation and the importance of networking. After graduation, I moved to another state, and had trouble finding a good job, and then I connected with my former boss and he recommended me jobs and connected me with the hiring managers of those positions.
M A
M’s Answer
Yvonne Koh
Yvonne’s Answer
Hi Isabel,
Through my previous part-time jobs and internships, I learned that adaptability is a very important quality to have. With rapid changes in technology, it can be really beneficial if you are able to demonstrate adaptability and be willing to take on tasks/projects that are new and challenging. Even if you might not know how to do certain task/project, your initial reaction to a challenge provides an immediate perception of your adaptability. Change is a common source of stress for a lot of people. If you are willing to spend more time figuring out how to do the new task/project assigned to you and leveraging your professional connections to help, you are setting yourself apart. In addition, always have the right attitude and have confidence in yourself!
Don't allow yourself to become complacent. Always be learning and moving towards that next goal.
Lauren Green
Vandana Sugumar
Vandana’s Answer
The lessons which I learnt during my Internship is Don't be afraid to ask questions. The more you ask the more you learn, it shows that you are interested to learn about the topic. Internships are a first hand look at the industry outside of a classroom and its a great place to chose your career path. Communicate if you don't understand the process and ask questions, it will also help you in the long run.
Simeon Snow
Simeon’s Answer
Josh A
Josh’s Answer
I'm going back quite a few years here to my own experiences but here are a few valuable things I learned...
1) I learned that I didn't enjoy the manufacturing engineering career - and was able to eliminate that from future choices. This is my own personal preference, others may love it, but it helped me decide one thing I didn't want to do.
2) Technical skill - It was a real Eureka moment when I took a bunch of classroom mathematical modeling of how something worked (a transistor in the linear range) and then applied it into a functional circuit. Wow that gave me such an advantage when I got back to school.
3) Real world implications of what career I was pursuing - What will it be like? What kind of people will I work with? Will I enjoy it?
Kruti Patel
Kruti’s Answer
Don Brom
Don’s Answer
Your accountable for your actions and no one else is while on the job.
Don recommends the following next steps:
Kyle Inglin
Kyle’s Answer
Gloria Ortiz
Gloria’s Answer
I think that the best jobs are the ones where you learn something that you never thought that you can do. You may get asked to do it or you ask to do it. I would say if you are ever asked to do something that you don't know how to do, say yes whenever possible. (You should be safe.) Sometimes a manager will be see something in you that you may not even be aware of yourself. I never would have guessed that I would end up a learning and development professional. I had a supervisor who asked me to train a coworker. And then the supervisor asked me again when she liked how the new employee had done their job.
Make sure to challenge yourself in whatever job that you do. You won't know how far you can go until you push your limits.
Gloria
Ray M.
Ray’s Answer
Jon( Ponytail) Giles🇺🇸
Jon( Ponytail)’s Answer
Katy Darcy
Katy’s Answer
Always stay curious and have an 'always learning' mentality. Ask for help, ask to assist with things that may not necessarily pertain to your job at hand - it can always help you in the future. Also, some people get comfortable in their job and get bored - this is a way to show your superiors you always are looking for more and want to excel.
Alison Rothrock
Alison’s Answer
The best advice is to always to be honest and true to yourself. Find something that is interesting and make sure you learn something everyday. Communicate your ambition to those in your reporting line.
Amanda Grady, MSA
Amanda’s Answer
Great question!
The most important thing I have learned throughout my career is that your career path is up to you. For the most part people are willing to help you advance and teach you, but the initiative has to come from you.
You are in charge of your own career and progression!
Hope this helps. Goodluck on your journey!