Peer Career Consultant Blogs

This past summer, I was an intern at PwC in their Digital Assurance and Transparency sector. Walking into the office on my first day, I was incredibly anxious because I did not know what to expect and felt the pressure of entering the workforce. However, as I wrapped up my time there, I realized those nerves were a natural part of the growth process. 

Here are 5 things I wish I knew before starting my internship.

1. The Power of a Deep Breath 

Starting a career can be overwhelming, especially when you are the youngest person in the room. It is easy to feel like every task is a make-or-break moment to determine whether or not you get a return offer. My biggest tip is, before walking into the office or going into a meeting, take a deep breath. This simple ritual helped center me and reminded me to stay present. Whether it is your first day or the middle of your internship, remember you are there to learn, and sometimes you just need to ground yourself and breathe.

2. It is Better to Overcommunicate than Undercommunicate 

As an intern, you aren’t expected to have all the answers, but rather you are expected to be engaged. I quickly learned that there is no such thing as a “stupid” question. It is much better to clarify the purpose of a task than to rush through it without understanding the why.  Sometimes I felt like I was asking a lot of questions, but there is no such thing as too much when you are trying to figure out the reason behind your task. 

Communication was also more than asking questions. Because my manager was in a different state, I made it a point to send a daily status update before logging off. I summarized my progress for the day and outlined my plan for the next morning. My manager at the end of my internship shared that he appreciated the constant updates, as it allowed him to ensure that the project is on track and know what I was working on to see what I should prioritize.

3. Leverage Downtime for Skill Building 

Inevitably, there will be periods during your internship when you have nothing to do. Instead of waiting for direction, take the initiative to sharpen your skills. Something that I was not expecting going into my internship was how much we used Excel. The last time I used Excel was in OMIS 15, Introduction to spreadsheets. Because of this, I had forgotten a lot of the tips in

Excel. Instead of just waiting, I used my downtime using PwC’s internal learning database to master Excel shortcuts and advanced projects using PwC's internal learning database. Investing time in these tools early on made my work more efficient, and I know it will benefit me when I start full-time.

4. Keep a Notebook With You at All Times 

Before I started my internship, I was repeatedly told to keep a notebook with me at all times. Initially, I thought I would not need one, but it quickly became my most valuable tool. From day one, I brought a physical notebook to every meeting and documented as much as possible. I thought typing notes on my computer would be better, but realized that it would be a distraction. Using a physical notebook signals you are engaged and fully present. During one specific meeting with my manager, he explained a complex document line by line. Because I took detailed notes, I had a permanent reference guide that allowed me to work independently without having to ask for the same instructions twice. I not only used my notebook for technical notes but also as a daily log. I recorded who I met with that day, what we discussed, and even small details gave me information to refer back to for my final performance review. Looking back at these notes will allow me to remember what I did throughout my internship.

5. Enjoy the Process 

My final piece of advice is to just enjoy the process and the internship. An internship is a great place to see if a future career in a specific field is what you want to do. While the workload is important, the experience and connections are just as valuable. Regardless of the work itself, prioritize networking. Even if the internship made you realize you do not want to work in that field, still take the time to ask your coworkers about their career paths and get to know your fellow interns. These relationships often last far beyond the final days of your internship. Internships can be stressful, but it is essential to find ways to make the experience enjoyable. Whether that is connecting over lunch with your intern class or participating in firm-wide events, these moments help mitigate stress and make the experience memorable.

 

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