Those who work in media cross paths with a lot of interns.
Business Insider, for example, has an extensive internship program, which not only gives burgeoning reporters job experience and guidance but also provides editors and reporters with the experience of managing people.
To help readers glean lessons on what not to do as they begin their own internships this summer, I asked my colleagues who have managed or worked with (or as) interns about the worst mistakes they have seen interns make (or made themselves) at Business Insider and beyond.
Their stories don't disappoint. Here's what my coworkers had to share:
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Oversharing
"I had an intern a couple of jobs ago who told us on his first day that he was psychic and could predict our requests, and then he made us sit down to listen to his divination podcast."
Complaining
"I had an intern request a meeting, and they had a prepared a long list of complaints and grievances.
"I understand that sometimes things do not work out exactly as you expect. But this is the worst way to handle it. If you are struggling early on, go to your manager with a list of questions, not complaints. It is way too early to become a problem employee. And looking for the problems will only keep you from seeing the opportunities."
Assuming
"I once worked at a magazine where another intern committed a cardinal sin of journalism: She didn't understand the difference between transcribing an interview and paraphrasing it. Her script butchered the source's quotes and nearly got the writer in loads of trouble. So, whether you work in media, finance, or law, you may be asked to transcribe something someday. Ask how the person likes it prepared."
See the rest of the story at Business Insider