eBiz Tomorrow by Chris Salazar

Yes, I know that I have been away for a long time, practically the whole summer. But, rest assure, I have not vanished, rather I have been focusing on my career and of course enjoying my last year as a student.

I am approaching the last days of my summer internship and I can’t help but think about everything I have learned. From my trials and tribulations, I believe I have grown as an individual and as a professional–which is the goal. And, I hope my employer sees this as well!

Now for the good news…*drum roll please*

I landed a full time offer at my current company!

This has been my dream since I started my college career and now I am living it. The hard work is not done, but instead its just beginning. But, I am proud to say that my intern years are over and I am soon stepping into becoming a true businessman.

One more obstacle stands in my way…I need to finish my last quarter at Santa Clara University. I will be graduating 2 quarters early! woo hoo! Then, I start my next journey.

So after a long absence, I am back and ready to move into my professional career.

Here’s what to look for from me:

• How to land a full time offer
• Incite Insight on picking the best career for you
• Reflection and lives notes from future web conferences
• Business strategy (marketing, web, advertising, etc)
• Future Podcasts
• Video Blogging

Wow, does it feel good to be back~

To the left is a picture of ME at the blogging dinner. I am in the black shirt…

Take a look at all the fun we had at the blogging dinner! By the way, thanks Jeremiah for the picture!

Earlier, I posted my expectations and hopes for the blogging dinner. I went into the dinner with a strategic mindframe and being my first experience I was not sure what to expect. However, things changed and my game plan was a bit skewed.

Driving up to San Francisco I was picturing a fancy dinner in a big restaurant, yet it was nothing like this. Instead it was at a bar/lounge restaurant with very little room to sit down and have a "calm" conversation. Everyone was excited, standing up, shouting, and of course podcasting (Jeremiah).

I made some GREAT relationships with several people and the next time I will have some blogger friends. Here's all the interesting people that I met:

• Martin McKeay who blogs at a few different places including the Podcast Roundtable and Computer World
• Les Chui, a Marketing Chiropractor, is setting the stage for his industry! I am impressed with his progression in just a few short weeks! Great job!
• Kristie Wells who works for BrainJams, a startup that "connects people, ideas, and resources." People, especially bloggers, are always looking for opportunities to collabortate and meet new people…excellent idea.
• Mario Sundar who works for Navajo Advertising and Public Relations. Mario has some very interesting perspectives on Marketing that is worth reading. Although a relatively new blogger, he will take blogging to another level. Welcome!
• Gregory Narain who works for Social Roots. Social Roots helps people take control of their writings and even offers some compensation in return.
• Lastly, I met Robert M. Halper, who works for Johnson & Johnson. He did not necessarily have a blog, but his company would like to implement a blogging platform for their employees. I hope he was able to gather some information and/or resources.

The blogging dinner was FUN and SUCCESSFUL! I was able to mingle with other people and expand my own network. Thanks Jeremiah for the invitation, keep me updated with future events!

Also, my fellow intern buddy may start a blog as well. She is still figuring out what the purpose of her blog will be, but at least she is thinking about a BLOG. Many thanks to Mario for the Marketing…I mean encouragement! =)

Here's my goal for every blogging event I attend: Meet new people!

I realized thats really what is important. These are social events and I need to MEET NEW PEOPLE!

Interns are facing some problems for blogging and even attracting some negative press.  But this does not mean that interns should not blog!  Blogging fosters several important characteristics that make a successful intern, scholar, professional, and person.  

Yet, like everything else, there is a wrong way and a right way to intern blogging.  Fortunately, I have not had to learn the hard way, but from the "bad" example of others.  

The Do's and Dont's of Intern Blogging

DONT's

• NEVER talk about confidential information from your work
• Refrain from office gossip
• Keep co-worker names out of the blogging conversation
• Be careful about disclosing where you work, your department and/or who you work with
• Have a public disclosure on your blog, something like this: "Please Note: All thoughts and ideas presented in this blog share no connection with my employer"

DO's

• Talk about important lessons you learned:  "How To Make the Best Out of a Business Trip"
• Network with other people in the blogosphere
• Use your blog to express your interests and critically analyze what is going on
• Seek others like you to use as a resource: "Reaching Out New Interns Wanted"
• Recap your internship with important lessons you learned and others can use:  "How To Become A Successful Intern"

These are some important lessons that I have learned throughout my blogging experience.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO OFFER, please comment!   

The New York Times posted an interesting article about the rise in interns and their innocence about workplace rules and corporate culture.  The NYT adds, interns are facing the problem of moving from a "like-minded" generation to the diversity of corporate america.  Interns mistankingly talk about their company, which has made several corporations impose several restrictions.  (this is not a bad idea)

The moral of the story: interns use blogs as a way to transition from "MySpace" to the corporate world, so there is no need to be alarmed. Instead provide awareness about the "Do's and Dont's" of blogging.  (Perhaps that will my next post!)

I make this statement with caution, but I will hold to it 100%:

I WILL NOT WORK AT A COMPANY THAT SAYS I CAN'T BLOG

(note: I never have nor will I ever talk about my employer and/or talk about confidential information)

HERE's WHY:

I believe blogging has helped me grow as an individual, scholar, and business professional.  Here's a glimpse of what I have learned throughout my internship and how blogging has played an important role:

• I have learned how to become a successful intern
• I am learning the strategies of becoming a successful blogger
• I learned how to make the best out of a business trip
• I have learned how to keep a well-balanced blog
• And, I have learned the 10 steps of becoming a successful entrepreneur

Blogging has enabled me to keep a "safe" of everything I have learned while sharing it with the public.  New generations of interns will have the same questions I have, and my hope is to provide them with resources to excel in the workforce. 

This is my tool to help others.  Why block us from it?

As an intern, I did not expect to ever go on a business trip, so when I first heard about the opportunity I was excited.

Yet, the excitement was soon overcome by nervousness. What was I going to do? How would I act? What would I say? I will no longer be in my comfort zone, instead I will be far away at another company working.

Now that I look back at the experience, I am very thankful not just for the opportunity but for everything that I learned. Every new intern and new hire will experience the same feelings I did, but my goal here is to help that person make the best out of the trip.

How To Make The Best out of a Business Trip:

• Do the most you can to prepare before hand
  • It is very important to know what is going on, even if your role is small
  • Prepare like you are the one presenting just in case you are needed…you never know
  • Ask questions before the trip so you are well prepared
• Listen and Observe
  • Pay attention to what is going on, do not wonder off b/c one day that will be you
  • Take good notes to reflect on after the meetings
• Participate
  • Even if you have a small role, the experience of presenting is important
  • Ask questions when needed so you can understand what is going on
  • Show others that you are part of the conversation
• Act as if you are the one presenting
  • When questions are asked, answer them to yourself, and compare your answers to what is actually said
  • Learn what the best way is to answer questions, even if you do not know the answer
• Reflection
  • Reflect by yourself or with your partner about the meeting and the outcome
  • Ask the following questions:
    • “What were the concerns from the meeting?”
    • “What are the key points from the meeting?”
    • “What needs more work?”
    • “What are the next steps?”
    • “Was the meeting a success? Why or why not?”
• Get to work!
  • Use the new knowledge from the meeting and add value to the project
  • Contribute and start preparing now for the next meeting
  • Keep in contact with the other company/partners, show the progress, and ask for their input

My business experience was a complete success as I learned important lessons that will help me contribute even more next time. This is important, especially as an intern, since I will soon graduate and work full time in the corporate world. I am thankful for this opportunity as an intern, and I look forward to future opportunities.

I would love to hear your experiences as well. I am sure that I will learn from you as well.

I have had the privilege of interning at a great company for almost a year now and I have learned several valuable pieces of information. Along with learning skills that pertain to my job tasks, I have learned professional skills that will most benefit me in the future.

My internship experience has been successful this far and I hope to continue learning and “soaking” in everything I can. In fact, I have listed many successful attributes of an intern that have helped me thus far.

How To Become A Successful Intern…

1. Always be willing to take on new projects, the “Yes I Can” attitude

• *This allows you the opportunity to show your skills and build TRUST with your co-workers
• *Every new project teaches you something new and this broadens your skill set
• *Even if the project is tedious, do it. After all you have to earn your position

2. Challenge Yourself to NO end

• *Step out of your comfort zone
• *Network with your co-workers, introduce yourself, find out what they are working on
• *Finish projects fast and accurately, then ask for more work

3. Ask questions, Be curious

• *If you are unsure of something, ask for clarification
• *Make sure you know what needs to get done and when
• *Ask questions about your department and the overall business

4. Communicate with your team

• Always follow up on emails and tasks
• *Keep your managers informed on your progress with current tasks
• *Let your team know of any hardships you are facing, perhaps they will have a suggestion

5. Do not be afraid to fail

• *As an intern you will make mistakes, but take responsibility and learn from it
• *Do not let failure hold you back from challenging yourself
• *Remember that as an intern you are not expected to know everything, so make an effort to learn

6. Prioritize Your Work

• *Be careful you do not miss deadlines, so prioritize your tasks so you do not fall behind
• *Ask your managers to help you with this…”What is most important?”
• *Set your own deadlines/timelines for completion of tasks (preferably 1 day before the actual due date)

7. Find a Mentor who is willing to help your career growth, perhaps the most benefical learning experience

• *LEARN everything you can from this person
• *Use this mentor as a resource for questions and learning new skills
• *Refer to your mentor for advice (especially during hardships)

8. Figure out how you can ADD VALUE to your team

• *What does your team need? Figure that out, and make it happen
• *Exceed expectations on your work, never just settle for the minimum
• *Be an over-achiever…pay attention to details and exceed expectations

9. SHINE!

• *Shine above everyone else
• *Make your presence known
• *Smile, dress professionally, and perform!

10. Be a human “sponge”

• *Soak in all of the new skills and knowledge you are gaining
• *LISTEN carefully to your coworkers, mentors, and managers…they ALL can teach you something
• *Observe your team and company. How do they work together? What can be improved?

Internships are important since you are provided with the opportunity to learn and gain experience. Use this as an opportunity to explore and learn so you are prepared for the corporate world when you graduate. Make an effort to shine and constantly challenge yourselves.

Any questions, please let me know here or email me: christopher.salazar@yahoo.com

Tags: internship|INROADS|business