4 Summer Internship Essentials

Everyone has different plans for how to spend their summer months, some take up a few college courses to stay on track with their graduation plans, while others opt to completely take a break and travel freely without a care. For many college-aged students, summers are also the perfect time to snag an internship without the added stress of school during their internship term.

Prepare yourself with success by getting everything you need for your internship – keep reading for summer internship essentials to check off your shopping and packing lists.

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Comfortable, office-appropriate shoes and jackets 

Everyone’s summer internship dress code may differ – some can get away with wearing their usual outfits, while others may have to upgrade their summer wardrobe to a more professional one. Whatever the case may be, you will want to make sure that you set yourself up for success by investing in two key items — shoes and a jacket.

Your internship may have you on your feet for extended periods of time, from traveling to and from the office using public transportation or walking or getting around the office as needed. Make sure you have a pair of comfortable and dependable shoes that are office appropriate.

Similarly, you will also want a jacket that is office appropriate. While you may not think you will need one during the summer months if you live in a climate that stays warmer during the summer, you will face colder weather a few times, and will also likely face air conditioning blasting in the office. Getting a work-appropriate jacket that can match a lot of your office wardrobe can keep your professional attire consistent.

Irons, lint rollers, or steamers

If you have a stricter, professional dress code for your internship, you will likely be paying more attention to your daily fashion choices. For your normal day-to-day, you could very well be picking shirts off your clean laundry basket, not giving a second thought to if the clothes have some wrinkles.

For your internship, investing in some items to help keep your work outfits in top shape can go a long way in making your look and feel more professional. A compact lint roller can be kept in your bag and help keep your clothes free of lint, especially fur if you happen to have pets.

A steamer can help you keep your work clothes wrinkle-free and can be a lot easier to use on a daily basis if you don’t want to whip out a clothing iron and ironing board.

Snacks and hydration essentials 

Nothing is worse than feeling hungry or thirsty, with no quick fix for the issue. You may be lucky enough to have an office with a fully stocked break room, but many interns are faced with having to pack or buy their own food and drinks while on the job.

Invest in a solid reusable water bottle so that you always have a source of water to keep yourself hydrated on the job.

Keep nonperishable snacks in your bag to solve any on-the-spot hunger if you forget your lunch, or are tasked with staying longer at the office with necessities. Dry goods like protein bars and beef jerky can be tossed and stored in your bag without an issue.

If you have a designated workstation at the office and have storage space, keep a stock of snacks that will definitely come in handy on a daily basis.

Tech necessities

It’s hard to do much work without the use of a laptop or phone in many fields, and the same will likely apply to your summer internship. You will want to make sure that you have all the tech necessities needed for your summer internship.

There’s no use in carrying around your devices if they die on you – ensure you can keep a full charge by having your laptop/phone charging cords as well as an extra portable battery charger you can use to charge your phone in a pinch. If possible, try having a copy of each charger so you can keep one in your living space and one in your bag to ensure that you are always able to access charging cords wherever you are at the moment.

Headphones are also a must, allowing you to dial into calls on the go or in the office without disrupting those around you. Wireless headphones may be your go-to, but a wired pair of headphones can be a great safety net when you do not have to worry about charging them.

Any of these (if not all) can help you be prepared for your summer internship – good luck!