My Last Day

For those of you who remember the popular TV show Scrubs, I hope you get the reference in the title. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, let me briefly explain. Every Scrubs episode was entitled "My...whatever" E.g. My First Day, My Unicorn, My Big Brother, etc. And in the first season, the last episode was titled "My Last Day" because it was J.D.'s last day as an intern, and the next day he will be a resident. And the reference fits, because today is my last day as an intern, and tomorrow, I will be a 2L (2nd year law student). And just like J.D., I'm reminiscing on my short (three months) time here.

So what have I learned? Hmmm...as far as the law-related stuff goes - a LOT. However, that is probably boring to the average reader, so here's what you REALLY learn at an any internship.

1. Coffee is king.

This may seem like an unimportant rule, but treat it with respect. Seriously, every office has it's food/drink staples upon which it relies, and I assume, runs. But coffee, my friends, is king. There is always coffee. You do not screw with that EVER. I believe the punishment is a day in hell, which is where you'll be if there is no more coffee in the break room.

2. Free food is the best way to a co-workers heart.

This goes for any office. Sometimes there are specific expectations to this one. For example, this summer, the office is located behind a Daylight Donuts shop. That means donuts are a treat often called for. My last job, it was 1/2 price drinks at Sonic. And even after a year and a half, I still know the employee's drink orders. It may be Starbucks, or McDonalds, or maybe a cute little sandwich shop. You're probably thinking - THAT'S AWESOME! It is. And it is the one, sure-fire thing to make the office happy, no matter what.

3. Assistants can make or break you. Same goes for the court clerks.

They warn you about this in law school, and frankly, this should probably be #1 on the list. If you've just come out of your first or second year in law school, you know nothing. I'm not saying that to be mean, but I heard this from my Civ Pro professor my first year, and I truly believe it. She said, "You are 1Ls. You know nothing." And guess what? You may think because you took a whole class on (and in your mind are an expert on) Trust and Estate Law, but those assistants? They are your best resource, because you've probably never put together a trust before in your life. Same goes for a motion, etc. And even if you have, you probably haven't drafted one the way THIS firm drafts them. So make friends with them. Be nice. Don't pull rank. Shed that ego before you walk in the door, and let the nice people help you get oriented. They will usually be some of your best teachers.

4. But don't do everything.

So now that you know to be nice and courteous to the office assistants, and you are getting the hang of how things run in your workplace, you need to step it up. Meaning - don't be a pushover either. If you need to be researching and drafting, delegate the formatting and editing to the assistants. Dictate and have them write the letter. That's their job, so let them do it, and you can do yours. Don't be that pushover who does everything themselves. You will get nothing done.

5. Follow the dress code.

I'll be honest. The office I worked for this summer was semi-casual. Which was great. I didn't have to wear a suit everyday. Thursdays and Fridays we could wear jeans. Which was nice, except when I decided to wear something extra nice on Friday, even if I just felt like it - it wasn't great. Because when the whole office is wearing jeans, and the client sees you all dressed up nice, odd looks come your way. You can almost hear them thinking, "Why is she dressed up? Why is everyone else casual?" It makes them question things they shouldn't, and besides, the office is a unit, and you need to follow suit. No pun intended.

6. Never underestimate a smile, a thank you sticky note, or a genuine verbal "thank you."

In the adult world (which includes interns apparently), people respond to these things. BIG TIME. They love them. The assistants, your boss, the janitor - I don't care who it is. They love thank you notes. Send them. Even if they are on a sticky note stuck to their computer monitor. Even if you add a little smiley face after a general note. Even if you just have a generally happy disposition - it does wonders to the people around you.

7. Take a genuine interest.

I don't care if you don't have kids. If a co-worker loves to talk about her cat or kid or what they did that weekend - talk to them about it. Because d even if you weren't interested in those things before, you should be Why? Because chances are, you are not only a co-worker, but their friend. I get excited now when friends/co-workers tell me their son or daughter took their first step, said their first word, or let them take the cutest picture last night. They are genuinely excited, and I am genuinely excited for them. Your network of friends is probably broader than you think - be a true friend back.

So that is what I've learned from being an intern. I've held a few of these internship-type things for a few years, and this is what I've gleaned for the most part. And on my last day, I couldn't be happier to have experienced it. :)