6 Questions To Ask Your Boss On The First Day Of Your Internship

By Victoria Robertson on March 4, 2015

This article is brought to you by Dream Careers, the largest global internship program for college students offering all-inclusive programs in 11 cities worldwide. To learn more about Dream Careers, please visit us at SummerInternships.com.

Beginning a new internship is a nerve-racking experience.

What do you wear? How do you act? What if you aren’t good at your job? The questions building up in your head are endless, and the only way to feel better is to get some answers.

That being said, here are the six questions you should ask your boss on the first day of your new internship.

1. Where do I start?:

New jobs are a bit disorienting, and rather than starting your first shift in a confused daze, you’d better ask your boss what it is you’re supposed to be doing. Ask what he/she’d like you to get started on first, or better yet, make a suggestion as to where you think you should begin.

If you walk in on your first day and are showing this type of initiative right off the bat, it’s going to come across in a way that favors you. Job performance is key in beginning a new internship, and this question puts you in the right position from the get-go.

2. Who should I report to?:

Depending on the job, your boss may be different than someone else’s. Rather than making a mistake mid-way through your internship and realizing you don’t know whom to contact for help, start out by getting to know your fellow coworkers.

Not only does this help you network and get to know the people you work with better, it also shows that you’re looking ahead and thinking long term, both important factors moving forward.

3. Where is…?:

Once you begin to get acclimated, make sure that you are aware of your surroundings. And while going about your work day, ask questions when you need to. If you don’t know where something is, it’s better to ask than to wander around aimlessly.

This is also important to ask on the first day because if you still don’t know where something is later on down the road and your boss asks you to go there to get something, it will reflect badly on you if you can’t complete the task.

As they say, better to be safe than sorry.

4. What is our goal?:

Most people begin internships with goals: things they want to realize by the end of their experience. This is a great idea to work with, but talk with your boss first. See what the company’s overall goals are insofar as things concerning you and see if you can make a personal goal along these same lines.

Discussing the company’s plans with your boss to start out with shows a strong employee that’s already looking far enough ahead as to what he/she can do to help the company, and what the company can do to help them. And trust me, this is a good quality in a worker.

5. Is there potential to grow?:

Along these same lines, it’s important to ask questions as they pertain to your future in the company, specifically as to whether or not there is room for the employees to grow with the company.

Most bosses hire interns in hopes successful ones can later be brought on board as a full-time employee. However, it’s important to find this out at the beginning of your internship, as this is something you will want to know moving forward. In this way, you can measure yourself against the company to see if this is even a career you’d want to pursue.

6. What do you expect from me?:

This is probably the most important question you will ask your boss on the first day of your internship. Taking note of the boss’ expectations day one gives you an advantage you won’t realize you wanted until you have it.

Most interns walk into their new internship and think of it as just another job. Knowing that this is more than a job, but a test run for your career, is imperative. Therefore, the relationship you are able to form with your boss, even this early on, matters in the long run.

So if you get the chance, ask what his/her expectations are for you personally, so that you can work to meet, and quite possibly exceed, them.

The first day of your new internship is far more important than you may think, and taking it seriously is your best bet for making the most of it. So don’t be afraid to ask the questions you need to, as this will serve you better in the long run.

Looking for a top internship in an exciting city? Enroll in Dream Careers and guarantee yourself an internship and a fun summer in your choice of 11 cities globally. To visit our website, please click here.

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