What are the most common mistakes interns make?

Undertaking an internship or work experience placement provides an
opportunity to learn, grow, develop and understand fully the career path
you might want to pursue. As an intern in a specific department you are
usually thrown in at the deep end with lots of room to flourish and shine
but, like every new starter, there is plenty of room to make mistakes.
Making mistakes isn’t necessarily a bad thing, often they can be the best
way to learn but as long as you do learn from them and don’t keep making
the same mistake! Here are some of the most common mistakes and how you can
learn from them:

Getting too comfortable and too familiar too quickly

Young professionals must approach each experience with a professional
manner, which I know is true of any industry. The fashion industry is a
collaborative one so of course, it is important to develop a positive
relationship with your team and managers, however this does not mean
excelling at being your boss’s best friend. Ability to do the job is the
priority. If you can’t do the job, you won’t be around for too long. It’s
important to find a healthy balance between being friendly with the team
and your boss but make sure you are seen as a hardworking member of that
team, respect and friendliness will then follow.

Forgetting the purpose of the internship

When the internship is in full swing, many feel the role allocated
becomes repetitive and therefore easy and comfortable. Remember the aim of
interning is to grow and learn as much as possible and to push yourself.
Look to getting involved in a wider field than the one you have been
assigned. Talk to your immediate line manager about this. Offer to help,
show initiative and take on something new if you can. Every now and then,
take note of what you feel you have mastered and what you are learning. It
is easy to let 3 or 6 months go by without really understanding what you
have done or achieved. Maybe self-reflect every Friday over a gin and
tonic?

Seeing your manager as an enemy

Rumours and feedback of challenging internships especially of the ‘awful
boss’ from hell often circulate. Very often it is the worry of an
unreasonable and unsympathetic manager that cause a lot of anxiety for
young interns and once again, this isn’t just in the fashion industry.
However, don’t let this limit your experience by not bonding! Your manager
is there to guide you through the role, help you and make sure you’re
progressing. This should be the expectation you have of them. They are
there to be your point of call during your day to day working. If you don’t
feel comfortable around them this can have a big impact on your experience,
so don’t be shy to ask for a 1-1 if you are finding things challenging.

Feeling entitled

I’m not sure if this is a mistake or a mind-set problem, it’s certainly
a mistaken attitude!. Based on TV shows, films and other sources, which
often give an inaccurate picture, some young professionals enter the
industry feeling they have arrived and success is theirs. This can be
limiting and unrealistic and can and stop interns making the most their
experience, as well as others finding this approach extremely irritating.
Absorb the tasks and activities you are asked to undertake with good grace
and have realistic expectations of the experience. Go into every role with
an open mind and willingness to learn from others.

These few mistakes may seem obvious and ones that you would never dream
of making, but trust me, they are easy mistakes to make when you are caught
up with nerves, pressure and the stress of the working world.

Keep note, take stock and do your best!

By contributing guest editor Hannah Rafter, founder and Editor In
Chief of The Intern 247, a website dedicated to giving real insights into
the world of fashion internships. @theintern247

Photo credit: Startupstockphotos.com, Pexels