Quick Links for Student Interns

Understand the Office “Norms”

• Treat others with respect
• Work during the daily schedule established with your supervisor
• Dress in accordance with office expectations (i.e. formal, business casual, ‘dress-down’ days) your supervisor can provide guidance
• Practice video meeting etiquette: video on and looking into the webcam, control background noise and mute when not speaking, don’t be distracted by other work or your phone.
• Check in with your supervisor on your projects at least weekly (set up specific meetings for project discussions, as appropriate)
• Support a safe and healthy work environment
• Understand the protocol for overall communications within the office (including letting supervisor know when you will not be working or are sick)
• Maintain confidentiality (as part of your work, you may have access or exposure to data that must be treated in a confidential manner)

Communicate Effectively

• Be responsive
• Continuously communicate with project leads and team members
• Actively seek out supervisor and team members — don’t wait for them to come to you
• Talk often with your supervisor/project leads — get to know them. They are excited to have you working with them, but they’re also very busy
• Be candid and seek out what is important during dialogues
• Time away from work, either planned or unplanned, always let your supervisor know beforehand

Don’t Assume

• Explicitly ask for project expectations (due dates, desired outcomes)
• Ask questions to understand content and quality level expected for projects

Network and Build Relationships

• Understand the office culture
• Observe team orientation and pace within the work team
• Participate in ADI program learning lunches (go prepared with questions, take notes, provide de-briefs to your supervisor)
• Get to know the other interns if you can (find commonalities, etc.)

Be Proactive

• Ask for additional responsibilities if you are feeling bored, underutilized, or experiencing a “lull”
• Take the initiative to learn (ask questions, be inquisitive and proactive)
• Work to build your skills and make a positive contribution (for future opportunities)
• Ask for feedback from your supervisor to ensure alignment during the program. You will also receive formal feedback from your supervisor and have the opportunity to provide formal feedback to your supervisor at the end of the program
• Take advantage of all opportunities (meetings with senior leaders, for example) to engage in dialogue and ask questions (if you are invited to a meeting, prepare a couple of questions ahead of time, etc.)

Submit an Executive Summary

At the end of the internship, create and submit an Executive Summary of approximately 400 words to the appropriate supervisor. Details about this summary can be found in the Executive Summary Instructions PDF on this website.