Assignment #4: Getting Ready for Your Mentor

"Making the Most of your Internship or Co-op"

There is an old cliché "You only get out of it what you put into it." This is an applicable saying for the life in the workforce. Many times people slack off and think lightly of the importance of an internship, but in reality your actions, attitudes and mindset to the internship determines the likeliness of success in your mentorship and possibly the future. The doctor being shadowed or any mentor expects leadership and help from the intern; it is not only for intern to receive the benefits and the experience, but it is also supposed to be a win-win situation for the employer. When working in an internship or workforce, there are helpful tips to help and assist for making the most of the internship and the co-op. There are a lot of tips and resources to follow when in an internship:

1) Be responsible- try to arrive a few minutes early.

2) Show Enthusiasm- Interns bring a lot of energy and environment to the working atmosphere when they are upbeat, enthusiastic, courteous, flexible and willing to pitch in. The attitude will be a huge factor in the work setting.

3) Immerse Yourself- Try to learn as much as you can and always be willing to learn and absorb more details and information. The internship is a training ground to help you in your later years when you start your actual profession. Use your time efficiently and try and to minimize breaks and idle time in between.

4) Always do your best work- Never complain or murmur but always do your best and show your supervisors that you are capable of handling small situations, so that later they can trust you with bigger opportunities.

5) Take Initiative- Always volunteer and seek opportunities that will benefit you later on and always seek your mentor and ask for direction or guidance.