Recently, I’ve received a lot of call from students looking for an internship. Not so long ago, I was in the very same situation, cruising agencies and begging with my small portfolio in front of sympathetic employers. I remember the long days spent at the “intern” desk, when you can’t wait for your very first “real job” to happen, while you desperately know that you will never see the color of money here. At least, you hope for a good load of knowledge of the industry…
There are a lot of things I’d have like to be taught when I was a young trainee (This makes a fantastic pun in french, but I give you the freedom to check what a trainée is.), and things I’d like to teach as a mentor such as:
1. Passion!
More than often, people in the industry (and in the whole world) lacks the fire inside, that makes them tell you important things like “Don’t be afraid of trying new things” and “If you don’t like what you’re doing, what’s the point”. I was told these things, and at the time, I thought that was not considering the market reality. I was wrong. Basics like “Renew yourself” & “if you don’t like a design, don’t show it. Client will pick this one anyway.” are basics that imply that you must work twice as hard. Un-passionate people won’t ever tell you this, but I assure you, they’ll make you happier in the end.
2. Method.
As a young designer, managing time is the hardest task of the whole job. Even if productivity method are not my type, having some basis considering file naming, time managing, process and prodctivity would have saved my life more than once.
3. The truth.
About the market, the salary, the job, the clients… How naïve was I when I first crossed the door of an agency. I wish I was told more about the real life of a designer, and less about the fancy side.
4. Attention to details.
I wish I was told that the small details are what make a whole stunning. Unfortunately, it seems that most of the time, deadlines are too tight to encourage details scanning.
5. Being with the team.
Quite often, interns are stuck in a corner, not being so much involved in the company’s life. I guess it’s their role to become an active member of the team, but sometimes, it feels a bit frustrating. I wish I was given some guidelines as how to use this time on the office to listen, be proactive, learn and make new connections. Shy types have to work twice as hard.
6. Learning by yourself.
Many of the interns I had were not that curious about the world around us. I had to force them into searching, scanning, opening their eyes, reading, and so on. I hope that my insistance of making them learn by themselves was appropriate.
7. Graphic design is not art.
Sometimes, you can’t change a client, but that does not mean you have sold yourself to the devil. That just means you’ve accepted your role as a service provider.
8. Being challenged.
I know that challenging an intern creativity can be risky. But how are we supposed to fulfill their need for creative experience with only fake/uninteresting project. Giving a challenging project is an excellent way to reveal their full potential, and be blown way by an unknown genius.
9. Giving everyone a chance.
“Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”. Sometimes, very talented people will make an uninteresting internship, and sometimes, thought to be bulky guys will give you an unforgettable human experience.
What about you? Did you meet inspiring mentors that changed your life? What did you wish you were taught during your job experiences — except from coffee making?
I’m pretty sure there are plenty of things to say about this. Please give me an insight on your thoughts, so that I can make a less terrible mentor to my next interns!
And if you’re in need for an internship, read this first.
Cheers!
Zélia.
1
What should you teach your trainees?
The hard days at work.
This can apply to a situation I’m confronting right now at work. The worst part is: I don’t give a damn. Because I did my best and explained my point of view. Am I becoming a detached monster?
Thanks ProfessionalWidow 
