My name is Lily Tobin, and I am Envoy’s summer intern. To survive the summer happily and productively, I set out to impress every coworker (human or cat) while making real progress in my personal growth. I have been fairly successful, thanks to a growing list of lessons that have helped me avoid the classic intern mistakes.
Lesson 1: Don’t Be Caught Sitting Still
I made my first mistake by sitting still and getting caught. On day one, Penny Hatchell, president and co-owner of Envoy, gave me a simple rule: always ask if there is something to do. She credits some of her success to this mindset. It turns out sitting still is the easiest way to fall behind, even when you think you’re waiting for the next task.
Lesson 2: Ask Questions Early
There were moments when I didn’t know what to do, so I did nothing. The result? I didn’t receive my payment until the third pay period. I had Penny, my bank, and the payroll specialists on a wild goose chase, something I could’ve avoided if I’d asked. Now, I make a point to never sit in confusion.
Lesson 3: Stay Curious
In my second week, Jim Wolf encouraged me to bring “a healthy dose of curiosity” to a walkthrough of a web developer’s workflow. That meeting gave me a valuable perspective on how a web developer thinks. I then brought my healthy dose to The Mixing Room studio, where I met Tom Sain, and sat through the process of recording a radio commercial. Watching the creative process unfold was one of my favorite experiences this summer.
Lesson 4: Don’t Let Steve Push You Around
Not every lesson came with a motivational one-liner. My desk neighbor, Stuart, emphasized that I should not let animals (Steve) push me around. Now, Steve, the office cat, knows that I am serious and sits on my keyboard instead of my lap. I’m like, Steve, is it not clocking to you that I’m standing on business? Okay, Steve still sits on my lap sometimes.
Lesson 5: Delivery Matters
Writing has been tough for me lately. But I’ve found that how you present your work matters just as much as the work itself. You may have a small task, but if you do it with care and clarity, people will notice. So, pay attention to the most minor details and use your heart to fill in the cracks.
“No one’s going to drag you up to get into the light where you belong, but where do you belong?” – Ace of Base, The Sign 1993
I’ve thought about this line throughout my internship, and it leaves me wondering where I will go next. Unfortunately, I still do not know. Fortunately, I have a list of newfound lessons and friendships to lean on while I figure it out.