When I graduated college, a little over a year ago, I had the cocky and naïve notion that there would be hundreds of employers knocking down my door and all the stories about the inability to find jobs didn’t apply to me. Well, five months later, after going on interview after interview, I found out this wasn’t the case. Finally I got an offer to intern at KCSA and after three weeks, I was offered a full time position.

So for those of you who are looking for a job or currently working as interns, here are my five tips for transitioning from an intern to employee:

1. Go Above and Beyond- When you are given a project and finish the task earlier than expected do not sit around and surf the web or try to leave early. If you finish, ask for more work. Even if there is nothing to do it will show your willingness to go above and beyond.
2. Be Flexible- Initially I was brought in to work Thursdays and Fridays but as needed I was asked to come in on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Being flexible about my schedule showed my willingness to help the company.
3. Be a Cross-Functional Contributor- Many companies have different departments and you could end up loving one that you thought had nothing to do with you. Offer to help other departments if needed, this will allow you to find out more about other fields and may even land you a job in the other department.
4. Be Able to Multi-Task- Nothing is ever as easy as it seems. You can come in one morning and be given a huge research project and by lunch not have worked one minute on it. Things come out of nowhere and need your attention. If you are able to do multiple things at once it will help you keep your composure when things pile up.
5. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff- An internship is a learning experience and everyone understands that. All of your work should be done to the best of your ability but it is not the end of the world if it is not perfect. Your ability to get the job done in a timely manner is most often the priority.

Following these five tips won’t guarantee employment, but they will go a long way in helping you succeed. If you’re interested in an internship at KCSA, email internship@kcsa.com.