Starting your first internship feels like stepping into a world where everyone else somehow already knows the rules. You’re trying to prove yourself, learn quickly, and not mess anything up all at the same time. Looking back, there are a few things I really wish someone had told me before I walked into my first office.
Ask questions, but ask smart ones
You are not expected to know everything. In fact, managers often expect interns to ask a lot of questions. It shows you’re engaged and genuinely interested in learning. They have all been in your shoes before, and know what it’s like to be an eager student wanting to learn.
I got a chance to speak to Michael Kalish, senior associate director of Baruch’s Starr career development center, on a piece of advice he would give students starting out an internship. He shared, “don’t be afraid to ask your supervisor questions, that’s what they’re there for. An internship should be a challenging, eye-opening growth experience resulting in a strong resume builder.”
What matters is how you ask. Try not to ask things you can easily look up on your own. Instead, ask thoughtful questions that show you’re trying to understand the bigger picture: Why are we approaching this project this way? How does this project tie into the team’s larger goals?
A good way to ask smart questions is to show your thinking first. For example: “I noticed we’re targeting this audience segment, is that because of past campaign performance?” This shows you’ve already tried to connect the dots and are looking to deepen your understanding, not just be handed an answer. It also helps to be specific about where you’re stuck. Instead of saying, “I don’t get this,” try, “I understand the goal is X, but I’m unsure how Y fits in, could you clarify?” This makes it easier for someone to help you quickly and effectively.
Be someone people want to work with
Your skills matter, but so does your presence. Work is where people spend most of their time, and they want to be around people who are kind, curious, and easy to talk to. During one of my previous internships, I was on the partnerships team. But I made an effort to get to know people outside of my department too in project management, operations, creative, and analytics. Those casual conversations turned into real relationships. Later on, when I had questions or needed support, people were more than willing to help. They remembered what it felt like to be new and figuring things out.
Being well-liked doesn’t mean being fake. It means being respectful, engaged, and open to learning from everyone around you. When you are able to build well-connected work relationships, these are the same people that will continue to advocate for you later on in your career.
Your work is only visible, if you make it visible
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that good work doesn’t automatically get noticed. Managers are busy, and they can’t keep track of everything you’re doing unless you tell them.
In one of my internships, I got feedback during my midterm review that I should have been giving more frequent updates outside of our weekly one-on-ones. I thought I was doing fine because I was completing my tasks, but my manager didn’t always see the process behind them. After that, I started sending short progress updates and flagging wins as they happened. It made a difference. If you put effort into something, advocate for your own work and make sure the right people know about it.Your work is only visible, if you make it visible
Your perspective matters more than you think
You might be the youngest person in the room, but that doesn’t mean your ideas aren’t valuable. You’re coming in with fresh knowledge from your classes and new cultural insights. Because you’re new, you also notice things others overlook. You’re seeing processes, messaging, and campaigns with fresh eyes. If something feels confusing, outdated, or unclear to you, chances are a customer might feel the same way. That “beginner perspective” is actually a strength, not a weakness.
Don’t be afraid to share your opinions in meetings. Even if your idea isn’t used, speaking up shows confidence and engagement. Teams benefit from diverse perspectives, and as an intern, your “outsider” point of view can actually be a strength.
Your final project is your moment
Many internships end with a final presentation to senior leadership. This isn’t just a school-style assignment, it’s your opportunity to show your impact. Often, you’ll be presenting to people who haven’t worked with you directly. They haven’t seen your day-to-day effort, so this is your chance to communicate your value clearly.
What did you learn? What did you contribute? What ideas do you have moving forward? These leaders sometimes have a say in return offers, so treat this moment like a real professional opportunity, not just a formality.
Riddhi P., a Baruch senior who interned at Crowe one summer as a financial crimes consultant added, “everyone in the company was in your shoes at some point (including the CEO), and they will be more than happy to help you grow professionally and personally. Actively make decisions that will help generate the lasting impression you want to make and treat every task (no matter how big or small) as part of a bigger picture.” There is no bigger last impression than your final project, so take that opportunity and make it your moment!
Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed
Not every internship is perfectly structured. Sometimes interns don’t get enough work, or they’re stuck doing repetitive tasks. It’s frustrating, but it’s also where self-advocacy becomes important.
If you hear about an interesting project in a meeting, speak up and ask to be involved. If you notice a gap or have an idea, build a small proposal or deck and share it with your manager. Showing initiative can turn a passive internship into an active learning experience
No one cares about yourgrowth as much as you do. When you advocate for yourself,others start to see your value more clearly too.
Your first internship isn’t about being perfect. It’s about learning how to work, how to communicate, and how to grow in a professional environment. The technical skills will come with time, but the habits you build, being proactive, curious, and confident, are what really shape your experience.
If you’re about to start your first internship, just know this: you belong there more than you think.
About the Author
Amy Feng Zhang attends Baruch College and is majoring in marketing management with a double minor in journalism and NYC studies. She’s been a contributing writer at for theHIPE since September 2025, covering stories focused on community engagement, campus initiatives, and student achievement.
