8 Pieces Of Advice Every Intern Needs To Hear

Intern season is my favorite season. I love all the new ideas and energy that interns bring with them and that’s why I was so excited to be part of another successful Verizon Intern Event across 4 days with our 300+ Vterns this year.??

Our Vterns heard from so many of our leaders including our CEO, Hans Vestberg ?and our EVP and CEO of Verizon’s consumer unit, Sowmyanarayan Sampath . They talked about their own experiences and what being an intern means––not just for budding professionals but also for companies. And, even more exciting, we heard so many insightful thoughts and questions from our intern-packed audience.

That said, what better way to celebrate #NationalInternDay than to spread this knowledge? Below are 8 tips that I think every intern needs to hear.?

“Will is more important than skill.” - Sam Hammock

I truly believe that anyone can learn a skill if they have the right will to work at it. So I strongly advise every intern I meet to never say no –– even if the project sounds like something you wouldn’t normally be interested in. Try it. You’re being tapped because someone sees something in you. Show your prospective employers that you have the will and ambition to take on anything and always be a student. Staying curious and continuing to learn throughout your career is vital to growth and will propel you towards the job that you want to retire from in the future.

“Kick ass in your job.” - Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer Group

This may sound like a no-brainer but it’s true. You may only be an intern but you need to (and absolutely should) give it your all. The idea is to get people to start talking about how amazing you are before you’re even hired for the job.

This is another one to always carry with you, too. How you do anything is how you do everything so strive to always do your best work and it will pay off over time.

“Find an organization that is invested in your success.” - Kim Porcaro , Director of Global Employee Relations

Kim spoke extensively about the importance of company culture and her quote rings true on so many levels. It’s so important to understand the culture you’re getting into and to make sure that it’s one that cares about its people. So do your research. It will make all the difference.?

“Before you finish your internship, go to a store and see the product in action.”?- Shankar Arumugavelu , Chief Digital & Info Officer?

There’s nothing better than seeing the product you’re working on in action –– watching your work come to life is incredible motivation and something you can really be proud of. This is as true later in your career as it is now, as an intern. Stay connected with the people that your work is impacting and learn from them so you can continue to deliver.?

“Large corporations offer a lot of possibilities.” - Hans Vestberg, CEO ?

Another great point from Hans. It’s true. Large corporations offer endless opportunities for interns and employees. The value gained in taking roles in different departments creates a breadth of experience as you find your passion, and it helps you grow your network.

Your time is precious so learn everything you can about a company, the growth potential there and its culture while you are interning so that when they hire you, you’re ahead of the game.?

And carry that with you throughout your career — always look into the opportunity and the culture that a company offers to see if it’s a fit for you. Remember, you will be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

“You have been taught a set of skills that many of your hiring managers may not have. It’s the power of the intern.” - Joseph Russo , EVP & President of Global Networks and Technology

Joe makes an incredible point. Technology changes so rapidly and just by nature of being raised in a world where it’s part of your lifestyle, you are at a huge advantage. Companies need and value you. Don’t let that opportunity pass you by.???

“Being an intern is an opportunity to ‘deliberately practice.’ To hone in on your skills and your ability to become a master at what you do.” - Monica Comeaux, Sr. Manager Strategic Business Ops

Monica was a fabulous host for our interns and I can’t agree with this more. Interning is one of the best ways to get real life experience in the field that you’re interested in while honing your skills and starting your journey to becoming an expert.

This is just a very short list of some of the amazing insights that came from our Verizon Intern Event and I know there’s a lot of great insights out there. Do you have a key piece of advice you’d like to share with interns? Or are you an intern who learned something special that you’d love to share? Please share in the comments.?

We’re always on the hunt for great talent at Verizon so if you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a V Teamer, please visit our careers page to check out our openings.?