I always enjoy this point in the academic calendar as spring is here and there is excitement for what is next. And notably, what is next tends to be job related whether full-time opportunities or internships. As someone who has been working with young people in academic settings for the better part of the last 25 years, I have accumulated a lot of thoughts about how to be maximally successful as a student and young person. I have also had the benefit of being on the other side of the table as an employer and leader of a group that tended to be young people in their first job.

As such, I thought I would share my thoughts on how I think young people can be maximally successful at their internship or first full-time job. This isn’t meant to be a “thou shalt not” type of lecture, but more focused on what I think results in the most favorable outcomes for an internship (full-time offer) or full-time job (promotion). In effect, the following are the ingredients that I have observed over the years that have resulted in young people having the most success.

1. Emotional Intelligence is Key

My view is that success is largely connected with your ability to read and work with people. You need to be someone that people enjoy being around and who can read a room. You need to be able to understand your manager’s perspective and their own job requirements. The young people who can set up shop quickly and read the room will always do better. Focus your energy on whatever makes your manager’s life easier. Be the person who is always helping and doing so with a positive attitude. Ask nothing in return, especially in these early days. Seek only to earn your manager’s trust and respect. Discussion of the full-time offer following the internship or new responsibilities will come, but you must earn the right to have that conversation. As an intern, I would not raise the idea of a return offer until the final week or two of your internship and only if you have authentically earned the trust of the people who can influence this decision.

2. Do the Work – Exceptionally Well

This is a bit obvious, but do the work and do it better than anyone else. If you simply focus on your job responsibility and have the single-minded goal of doing this job to the best of your capabilities, I promise that positive outcomes will come. And don’t worry about anyone else in your intern class – be collegial, be helpful, be a friend and do your work to the best of your ability. Employers want people who are good colleagues – prove it now.

3. Network Thoughtfully

Use this time as an opportunity to learn from people, but do not assume this networking always occurs over coffee or lunch. People are busy and most are very busy at work and at home – be mindful of this (emotional intelligence, again). Ask for a short chat at their office with pointed questions. Follow-up with someone after a meeting with a quick question or two that is authentic and will make you better. Be curious. Understand what you don’t know, determine who knows it and ask them in a time efficient way. You earn credibility and respect in this process.

4. Go to the Office

Without a doubt, the most important part of my learning occurred in an office. During my first job, I was charged with taking the minutes of the investment committee meeting. I learned how people thought, but I also saw how they behaved and reacted in what could sometimes be contentious discussions. I think about these lessons everyday and am grateful for this experience. Emotionally intelligent young people learn a ton through these interpersonal interactions and teach you how to be a professional.

5. Build and Protect your Reputation

The world is incredibly small and you want to be the person who has a strong reputation. Everything you say and do impacts the way people think about you and reputations are built by doing the right things time and again. Know also that reports on good (or bad) behavior are always shared and likely outside of your presence so you can do tremendous good (or damage) to your career by being the person who generates positive (or negative) feedback. Future opportunities will be realized (or lost) when you are not in the conversation. Give people something great to say and do it consistently.

Final Thoughts

In the end, most of your life is entirely in your hands and the outcome is up to you. Things don’t always happen according to your timeline, but everything happens exactly the way it is supposed to happen. I have been devastated to not receive a job offer only to get a better opportunity three months later. Only in hindsight do you recognize the good fortune that comes from emotional awareness, hard work, strategic networking, and a strong reputation. Good luck this summer and in your new roles. We live in fascinating times and you have the ability to be a key player in the future.

Matthew L. Cypher                                                                                     matthew.cypher@georgetown.edu