Internship Workshop IV

1
Internship Workshop IV

• Internship Protocol
• Workplace Etiquette and Culture

2
What is internship protocol?

• The dictionary defines etiquette as a noun with
  two meanings
• 1. the forms, manners, and ceremonies
• established by convention as acceptable or
  
• required in society, in a profession, or
  in
• official life.
• 2. the rules for such forms, manners, and
• ceremonies.

3
What is internship protocol?

• Protocol is another word for etiquette.
• It refers to how you conduct yourself at the
  internship site.
• How you behave at the internship site can reflect
  well or poorly on both you and Rosemont College.

4
Expectations Vary.

• Workplace etiquette is simply the behavior and
  manners that are expected at your internship
  site.
• The operative phrase here is at your internship
  site.
• You may behave and speak one way on campus, but
  in a professional environment people will likely
  have very different expectations.

5
Expectations Vary.

• For some students an internship may be their
  first experience working off campus in a
  professional environment. The rules are
  different in the workplace, but they are
  different in each workplace. Each company or
  organization has its own culture. Different
  professions may also have their own rules.

6
Know the Rules.

• How can you know the rules?
• The answer is that the rules are most often
  unwritten, but this presentation will give you a
  few tips to help you to make your internship a
  success.

7
Attendance and promptness matter.

• This may seem unimportant but it is not.
• On campus, coming in late for a class may get you
  a nasty look from the professor. In the work
  world its unacceptable to be late or absent.

8
Attendance and promptness matter.

• Being late or absent will send a message that you
  disrespect the time of others and arent
  interested in your work.
• Being on time or a little early will signal that
  you are eager and enthusiastic.
• Make a point of being on time better yet, try to
  show up for work or for your meetings five
  minutes early.

9
Attendance and promptness matter.

• Serious illness or family emergencies are the
  only excuse for being absent in the professional
  world.
• If you are going to be absent, make sure that you
  inform your internship supervisor directly by
  phone.

10
Respect the hierarchy.

• Follow the chain of command.
• You need to know about the formal and informal
  reporting structures in the organization where
  you are working.
• Once you know them, follow them!
• That means that you go to your immediate
  supervisor first. You dont go to that persons
  boss.

11
Respect confidentiality.

• You are in your position to work on your
  projects.
• Its okay to talk about your project, issues and
  the work environment, but avoid talking about
  people.
• Gossip gets around and what you say about another
  may come back to haunt you. What you say cant be
  unsaid.

12
Respect confidentiality.

• Dont be upset if you are not included in some
  meetings or discussions. Some information and
  issues are only for staff ears.
• Avoid office politics and do not take sides.

13
Respect your co-workers.

• You should treat all of your co-workers with
  respect.
• Avoid thinking that someone is just a
  secretary. Without administrative staff the
  organization could not run.

14
Respect your co-workers.

• The administrative staff may be great allies and
  may help you to understand some of the unwritten,
  unspoken rules.
• Remember the golden rule. Always treat others as
  you would like to be treated.

15
Learn basic social skills.

• How you behave on campus and how you behave in
  the work environment may be very different.
• Pattern your behavior on those around you in the
  workplace, particularly your supervisor.

16
Learn basic social skills.

• How you handle hellos, good-byes, and basic
  courtesies of speech and action can win friends
  or turn people off.
• Don't sit down in someone's office until you are
  invited to do so.

17
Learn basic social skills.

• Keep your feet off the furniture.
• Take your hat off inside!
• Don't chew gum.

18
Learn basic social skills.

• Learning social skills may sound ridiculous, but
  if you havent already learned them then you
  should start now. The Rosemont College library
  has a great book that can help you.
• Sabath, A. M. (2002). Business etiquette 101
  ways to conduct business with charm savvy. (2nd
  ed.) Franklin Lakes, NJ Career Press. (This is
  available electronically through the library
  website)

19
Make a good first impression.

• Learn how to introduce yourself.
• Practice a firm handshake.
• Learn how to make introductions and how to
  introduce yourself to people you don't know.

20
Make a good first impression.

• Be friendly, smile and make an effort to do your
  very best. These are all parts of those important
  first impressions which can earn you points.
• The president of the company is walking down the
  hall towards you are you ready to introduce
  yourself?

21
Dress for success.

• When you are at the internship site youre not a
  student any more so you shouldnt dress like one.
• Look at what other people are wearing. What
  hairstyles or accessories are the norm?

22
Dress for success.

• T-shirts and facial piercings may be perfectly
  fine on campus but in most offices they are not
  considered acceptable.
• If you model your dress and accessories after
  your supervisor, you usually cant go wrong.

23
Use proper language.

• What up? Hey, cool! may be fine on campus but
  not in many job environments.
• Avoid slang and speak like a professional and
  model your speech after those around you at your
  internship site.

24
Be a good ambassador.

• For those who work with you at your internship
  site, you represent Rosemont College.
• How you behave will reflect not only on yourself
  but on your institution. Your actions and
  attitude may determine whether other Rosemont
  students will be accepted for internships at the
  same company.