Being the new guy

Internship: About the first day of being the intern at a company.

These, for a graduating student, are difficult times to enter the labour market. Students look for ways to gain experience and stand out from the crowd. Companies, on the other hand, are hesitating to hire new personnel. Throwing up barriers with big tough assessments or psychological tests are not uncommon these days. A way to breach the barrier between students and companies is by doing an internship.

From own experience of two internships and an external company assignment at Eindhoven’s largest electronics multinational, the world’s leading Semiconductor lithography machine manufacturer and the producer of “two colours in a pottee” I’ll write this opinion piece. Hopefully providing you with tips and tricks about “being the new guy’’, towards your first day at the company.

You’re interesting!
Imagine, most people in companies see the same people from day-to-day, year by year.
With the standard conversations of the Mondays: ‘how was your weekend?’ or ‘did you watch the football match on Saturday?’ to: ‘the weather today’s really nice, right?’ during the week to ‘any plans for the weekend?’ on Friday.
Having someone new on the department is like bringing a new source of stories and therefore topics to talk about. You’re interesting, and feel free to talk about your own activities, hobbies and (student) life. Your new colleagues will like to hear about these things, potentially giving you new working-friends. For instance if someone has the same hobbies or you remind someone of their own (long gone) student life.

What’s on for lunch?
One of the things I find most important on the first day at the company is to find lunch-buddies at the department.
After introducing myself to the department I most commonly ask people for their lunch plans. Going out for lunch in a canteen area is a great opportunity to get to know your co-workers better in a more informal setting. Lunch is also great for sparring with your co-workers about your ideas to improve the company and for asking quick ‘simple’ questions about day-to-day activities. Also don’t hesitate to ask your co-workers about their background, because most people like to share their ‘history’ to the new guy.

Ask questions, questioning, questioned!
Being new at a company, your co-workers don’t expect you to already know everything.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Asking questions is the fastest way to learn the current business activities. Every working person has had the experience of being the inexperienced new guy, so they know what it’s like. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask questions, even about activities which may be less related to your own internship, it will show that you are willing to learn and eager to do well in the company.

One of the most important, but also very cliché, things to remember is that you have to stay yourself. The most important thing of doing an internship is that you improve, learn and gain experience. Be open to advice from colleagues and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Stay yourself and being ‘the new guy’ will be alright.