We asked July intern, Suleman Khan, to share some advice for our future interns. Suleman is a graduate of Business and Law from University College Dublin.
Apply early
When writing an application, particularly a cover letter, it’s important to take your time on it. Key considerations at this stage should include why you want to work at the firm and what makes you stand out as a candidate. Having a genuine, thoughtful approach will stand in your favour.
As well, as obvious as it sounds, check for any grammatical errors. Ask a family member or friend to gloss through your application to see if you have made any mistakes.
Research the department that you are joining
This is an important one if you want to be in the loop from day one. While your mentors and trainee buddy will be there to assist you if you have any questions along the way, department work becomes a lot more meaningful when you have some background knowledge. A good way to start doing this is by reading over the department page on the firm website, as well as scanning recent news, deals, or regulatory developments which may be relevant to the work the firm carries out.
This isn’t to say you have to be an expert in the field your assigned department works in, which leads me on to my next tip…
Ask questions and make use of the resources!
If you’re not sure on how to go about a task, or if you are confused about a specific topic, it’s important to ask for help from those around you. No one wants you to be stuck.
As well, the resources available at the firm can also be helpful. For example, if you are tasked with researching concepts which you might not be familiar with from college, the Library Services at the firm is a great resource if you need advice on where and how to get started.
Be organised
Whenever you are assigned work by someone else, always make sure to have a planner on you and ask them when they would like the work done by. This makes it easier to assess your capacity as well as manage multiple deadlines.
Also, considering how busy you can be, it is crucial to set aside time for rest.
Reach out
Being an intern in a new environment can be a daunting experience. You should try and reach out to fellow interns or those on your floor whenever you can. Ask for advice, go for coffee, etc.
It can be hugely beneficial to have a network in the firm during the time while you are there. What makes the timing of the summer internship so great is that you will never be short of events you can attend in the office during June or July.
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