DIY or DIE
How to work in a 'cool' office
By Eric Meyers
Congratulations! You’ve just landed the summer internship of your dreams. We’re not talking some power internship in a stuffy office with a strict dress code. We’re talking somewhere young and hip — think Google, Gawker, Pixar. These are companies with staffs full of twenty-somethings, where the sleek Ikea furniture makes you think you’re entering a cool loft party instead of an office. It’ll be like working with your best friends, right? Not exactly. Before you challenge your new bosses to beer pong, keep these handy tips in mind.
FIND THE BALANCE They may have dogs, Rubik’s Cubes, or Hacky Sack breaks in the office, but don’t forget that key word: office. Business and productivity come first. This especially applies to joking around with your co-workers and bosses. It can be fun, but it can also create tension and resentment. In the end, the standout interns will be those who did their jobs well, not the ones who made a funny joke that one time.
BEWARE THE ADULT KEG A hypothetical: you attend a book release party with your bosses and co-workers, and you encounter a keg. Approach with caution. Pour one drink at a time and pace yourself – few people make good professional impressions while drunk. If you’re underage, avoid the alcohol unless your boss directly hands it to you. And for God’s sake, don’t do a keg stand, no matter how good you are.
DRESS WELL, IF NOT UP Just because your boss said there’s no dress code doesn’t mean you won’t be judged on your appearance. You might earn some cred among staffers for your beaten-up vintage concert tee, but nobody respects the dirty, unwashed look. And ladies, don’t break out the turtleneck — it’ll be summer, after all. Keep your casual threads loose and modest: You want your boss to notice your work, not your tan lines.
KEEP YOUR AWE IN CHECK So you’re working at the same place as some of your personal heroes. They’re young, outgoing, and accessible, and they make a common practice of visiting the intern desk. Don’t just sit there and drool over their latest novel/movie/postmodernist guerilla performance-art piece. Be genuine. Share your ideas and ask them your questions. You’ll be the intern they remember.