Previously, I interned for 14 months at three prestigious international public relations companies. During this time, I encountered different guidance, did various jobs, was taught by different people, and gained diverse workplace insights. Suddenly, I felt the urge to write about the various events during my internship where I was taught lessons. Although at the time I didn't understand them, or even hated, cried, or felt sad about them, today I can see that my rapid growth is inseparable from these experiences. It was these 14 months of countless seniors who helped me quickly adapt from school to the workplace, saving me a lot of time adapting to society and enabling me to more quickly embark on my career development path. I want to summarize today the teachings I received from everyone and share some small things with younger students preparing for their internships:
1. Any work must be done entirely from start to finish. If I only ask you to do step 1, you should consider if there are steps 2 and 3. If I don’t have time to teach you the entire process, please think more on your own. Regarding this issue, I hope you will read a little story called "The Potato Buying Story."
2. If you encounter any issues that you cannot solve halfway through, you must ask me in a timely manner. Don’t wait for me to chase you down. The reason I give tasks to you is because I trust that a carefully selected college student can complete simple tasks like following up with a media outlet to check if they’ve received a package. If I ask you, please don’t tell me that no one answered the phone or that they couldn’t be found. When problems arise, don’t pass them back to me; find ways to solve them. The workplace is a place that only cares about results. You must have the ability to solve problems. When you start thinking and finding solutions to all problems, you will improve in both thinking ability and work capability. Be a thinker, not just a worker. Have your own value. (This was the most important teaching I received before being promoted, and it’s also the most critical change from being a student to entering the workplace.)
3. You don’t need to know what your colleagues do all day, etc., although many vocational education schools encourage you to learn this as soon as possible. Our work isn’t fixed; every day we do different things depending on the project. For example, the time I spend drinking coffee varies based on how busy I am, and knowing these details serves no purpose. Whenever I receive emails from many students asking similar questions, I sincerely hope they go home and check if their resumes are coherent.
4. Understanding every industry starts with doing every small task well, which includes not only finishing but also considering all related methods, communications, potential hazards, and skills. Only when you fully understand and master each small task can you move forward faster.
5. If you really have nothing to do today, then browse websites related to the business and learn from the experiences of senior colleagues. Even the smallest task has deep implications, and learning never ends. Don’t chat idly with other interns or gossip online. You can do that comfortably in your dormitory bed, not travel far to the company to do so. (I used to love chatting in the break room.)
6. Always think about how to demonstrate your value rather than just working hard. Students with internship experience will notice that interns often feel exhausted, while full-time employees seem more relaxed as they climb the corporate ladder. In fact, the efforts of high-level employees are beyond your imagination. They just manage their time and various tasks better and don’t panic like you do. What high-level employees show is not relaxation but orderliness. (I think this is very important. It took me a year to realize this, and I hope you can understand it sooner.)
7. Please don’t ask me why you should continue working here despite the low salary, or why you shouldn’t take exams for others or help others compile books. I’ll just say this: growth is more important than success, and temporary wealth doesn’t equate to success.
8. Please don’t express your love for public relations and then ask me what PR is and how it differs from advertising. Please google it yourself on Baidu. Ask deeper questions if you must. Don’t blame me if I ignore such basic questions.
9. You can dress flamboyantly or laugh foolishly, but please don’t flirt around the office. (Well said!)
10. Please don’t decide whether to stay based solely on salary unless this place truly can’t provide for your basic needs. The first three years are about accumulating and laying foundations, not demanding returns. The deeper you go, the more you'll realize you're a naive novice who might even think you were mistakenly hired. (I often feel this way.)
11. If you have any issues at work, whether you’re too tired or have a heavy workload, you should tell your leader. Don’t keep pushing yourself. Don’t curse the company for making you work late at night when no one knows you can’t finish your tasks.
12. Finish your work at the office. An intern doesn’t need to bring work back to the dormitory to pretend to be capable, as if without you the company would collapse. Go back to school, read more, and study professional courses. Take vacations to relax. Balance work and life well. Don’t let an internship disrupt your world. That’s a sign of incompetence.
13. Don’t judge the company's benefits based on your own thoughts. Don’t think skipping work to attend concerts fosters innovation, and then criticize the boss for being old-fashioned when you return. Work hours are for producing results, not accumulating knowledge. What did you do during school? Companies don’t pay for your personal growth and learning. If you’re smart, you’ll know how to grow and exercise through work.
14. Read, read a lot, read all kinds of books, and grow quickly. I don’t require you to have a mature face, but you should have a mature heart. Don’t ponder immature questions like why the company isn’t as ideal as you imagined after graduating with a master's degree or Ph.D.
15. Learning ability does not equal work ability. In school, you compete with IQ; in society, you compete with EQ. If your emotional intelligence is too low, go home and catch up. Don’t go back to school and criticize the company for being bad.
Special Reminder: Always maintain your individuality. This is very important. No matter when or where, there’s only one you. If you really clash severely, try to remain outwardly adaptable but inwardly steadfast. At least hold onto something in your heart. Also, have a dream, a goal, so you have the power to escape the muddled, luxurious social life and avoid becoming vulgar.