1.2 What my employer will expect from me
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) guide for employers ‘Internships that work’ (2015, p. 13) includes a sample internship agreement, which lists the following intern responsibilities:
- behave in a professional manner at all times
- abide by the rules and regulations of this company
- work hard and diligently throughout the internship
- complete the projects and assignments given to me in a timely and accurate manner.
For those with limited work experience, behaving in a professional manner can be unexpectedly challenging. Feedback from employers suggests that a lack of awareness of how workplaces operate can be reflected in poor time-keeping, over-reliance on social media and/or an unrealistic sense of entitlement. Being aware of this feedback will help to prepare you for some of the common challenges you might face when starting work experience for the first time.
In the next section, you’ll reflect on what you want to gain from your next work experience.