Internship Playbook: First Week Tips

In today’s episode, host Rebecca Harrington shares information on how to make your first week as an intern a success. Information discussed includes showing curiosity over perfection, asking clarifying questions, taking detailed notes, learning workplace communication norms, and building relationships early. But first, Jordan Rembrecht starts the episode by answering a listener mailbag question about how to keep track of the many new people you meet during interviews and in the early days of an internship, offering practical strategies like note‑taking and proactive communication. After listening to this episode, we hope you have a better understanding of how to confidently navigate your first week and start your internship strong. Full episode transcript can be found on the episode page. Below is a general timestamp summary.  00:00–01:00 | Introduction & Episode Overview Rebecca opens the episode and introduces the main topic: tips for making your first week as an intern successful. Jordan joins as co‑host, setting the stage for the discussion. 01:00–04:00 | Listener Mailbag: Tracking New Contacts Jordan answers a listener question about keeping track of the many people met during interviews and early internship days, offering practical strategies such as noting names, titles, and roles and staying proactive in communication. 04:00–10:00 | Preparing Before Day One Jordan explains what to expect between accepting an internship offer and the start date, including onboarding timelines, background checks, I‑9 documentation, and key questions to ask HR or supervisors prior to starting. 10:00–15:00 | Starting Strong: Curiosity, Communication & Priorities Rebecca discusses beginning the internship with curiosity rather than perfection, emphasizing asking questions, clarifying priorities, observing team norms, and building trust early through communication. 15:00–19:00 | Workplace Norms, Note‑Taking & Tools The hosts cover unwritten rules such as communication styles, meeting etiquette, arrival times, dress expectations, and the importance of thorough note‑taking on names, processes, software, and IT procedures. 19:00–22:00 | Building Relationships & Final Advice They highlight introducing yourself confidently, owning mistakes, and remembering that internships are learning experiences. The episode closes with encouragement and an invitation for listener questions. Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.Send us YOUR Listener Questions at [email protected] Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn @codcareercenter