Myra Dean shares tips from employers for interns, new employees

Note: Myra Dean, development director at KACU-FM, recently spoke to the JMC internship class.  She shared a survey of employers about their expectations for interns and entry-level employees.  What follows is a summary of Myra’s remarks.

Managers in the broadcast industry were asked, “If you could give soon-to-be-graduates some key pieces of information that would make their professional lives better, what would you say?  What should graduates do to make them more successful from the start and make the transition easier?”

Here are a few of the most common responses; some may be surprising:

• Listen and ask questions.  You may have new answers and approaches, but listen first.  When you’re talking, you’re not listening.  People, especially bosses, notice. 
• Understand the appropriate use of electronic media and technology at work.  
• It’s not OK to text at work.
• Don’t answer cell calls during meetings and don’t carry it in your hand constantly.
• It is not OK to Facebook or chat during office hours.  Check in during breaks, not business hours.
• Using texting and messaging slang; lol, idk, btw, etc. is never appropriate when work related.
• Don’t write anything negative on your Facebook page.  It WILL get back to your boss.  Be aware, e-mails are forever.   
• Communicate:  with bosses, co-workers and clients.  If there is any confusion, confirm by e-mail.  Document problems by e-mail and copy to yourself. Don’t wait until deadlines have passed to tell your supervisor you’re overwhelmed. 
• Dress Code:  See what your supervisor is wearing and dress accordingly.  Dress for the job you WANT, not the job you have.  Cover tattoos and remove piercings. 
• Stay out of office politics; take a course in conflict management; if you have anger issues, seek counseling and get past it. No competent manager tolerates a ticking time bomb in these days of workplace violence.
• Show up early, stay late, clean the office microwave; i.e. do more than is expected. 
• And finally, keep your work and personal life separate.  Avoid gossip and be careful what you say and do in the office.  When on company business, be careful how you act in public.