By Communication Consultant Grace Kwon (Finance, ’23)
With summer slowly approaching, students are getting ready to take on a new and exciting opportunity—a summer internship. Before starting an internship, it is important to keep in mind certain fundamentals, such as how to develop good communication with colleagues—whether in-person or online. Here are some ways that students can effectively communicate with workplace peers:
1. Communicate kindly and respectfully
Make sure to communicate with your co-workers and manager in a respectful and kind manner. Use a friendly tone when speaking and communicating with others, as this will promote positive relationships. A respectful environment where everyone speaks nicely and kindly will reduce workplace stress and problems, and also improve teamwork.
2. Speak to the individual in-person/face-to-face as much as possible
If your internship is in-person for this upcoming summer, it is recommended to speak with your manager and fellow colleagues face-to-face as much as possible. Typically, meeting with someone in-person and discussing the issues firsthand is more efficient than simply texting or emailing. Additionally, speaking face-to-face with your manager or colleague will allow you to strengthen your relationship with them and gain their trust, which is essential in a workplace environment.
3. Ask for feedback
Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from your fellow peers or boss! By asking for feedback, you can know what you do well, what you struggle with, and what you can improve upon; this will help you grow as a professional in the workplace. Especially when you are first starting off at an internship, it is crucial that you constantly ask about your progress, and view all feedback as an opportunity to grow. If your manager does not directly give you feedback, then you could always ask them directly.
4. Ask questions
Like asking for feedback, don’t be afraid to ask questions! If you are confused on how to complete a certain task, then ask questions on how to correctly complete it, as this is better than incorrectly doing the task without assistance. As an intern, your main duty is to learn through this internship, and one of the ways you will improve yourself in the workplace is to ask the right and relevant questions.
Get information and resources about our center at The Philip Rauch Center for Business Communication.
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