Do’s and Don’ts for Your First In-Office Internship

I saw a post on Peerlist recently:

"I will be joining my first offline internship soon, what are some of the do's and don'ts I should take care of?"

That question sounds basic, but it carries weight. Especially if you’re walking into your first real office with more nerves than answers.

Because no one really prepares you for the weird jump from classes and virtual internships to showing up every day at a desk, around strangers, in an actual office. You’re not just writing code or making slides anymore. You’re now being watched for how you behave, how you learn, and how you fit in.

This isn’t just about “doing the job.” It’s about learning how to be in a workplace.

So if you're a first-time intern walking into an office soon, here's what you should know before Day 1.

Do: Show up like a professional (even if you don’t feel like one)

Your badge might say “Intern” but that’s no excuse to act like one. Reach early. Even ten minutes before time makes a quiet impression. Dress like you care — not formal, but clean and thought-through. And never walk in without a pen and notebook. You don’t want to be the person who pulls out their phone every time someone speaks.

You might not know everything, but you can look like someone worth trusting.

Don't: Treat it like college

In college, you can ghost a group project and still pass. At work? That gets noticed fast. Don’t assume your manager will chase you for updates. Don’t sit idle just because no one gave you a task. Don’t wait for someone to explain things three times. Take initiative. Ask questions. Be accountable.

This is not a classroom. It’s a system built on ownership and accountability. If you don’t own your work, no one else will.

Do: Talk to people beyond your desk

One of the biggest reasons to be in an office is... the people. So make an effort.

Eat lunch with others. Say good morning. Join random coffee breaks. It might feel awkward the first couple of times, but these are the conversations where trust starts to form.

You might not get hired by your direct manager. You might get referred by someone you had a great conversation with at the pantry.

Don't: Hide behind your screen all day

Some interns treat their laptop like a shield. Don’t be one of them.

Yes, it’s safe to plug in headphones and disappear into code or Figma. But real learning happens when you’re present — eyes up, ears open. Observe how people work. How they talk. How they solve problems.

Being invisible might feel efficient. But it makes you forgettable.

Do: Learn how things actually work

Every company has two layers. The official one, with titles and org charts. And the real one, where influence lives.

Pay attention. Who do people go to when they’re stuck? Who makes final calls? Who gives feedback that actually changes things?

Learning this helps you navigate the place better. You stop asking the wrong people for the right things.

Don't: Wait for the “real work” to begin

Not every intern gets a big project on day one. But that doesn’t mean you sit around.

Ask if you can shadow someone. Offer to write internal docs. Fix small bugs. Clean up that messy Notion page.

The point is: don’t wait. If you keep showing interest, people will start sending real work your way. Fast. We wrote in details about what to do if you're not given enough work in your internship.

Do: Take feedback seriously, not personally

At some point, someone’s going to say, “This isn’t working” or “You need to redo this.” Don’t sulk. Don’t argue. Just listen. Nod. Ask how to improve. Then actually go and fix it.

Feedback is not a judgment. It’s direction. Most interns waste it by getting defensive. You can stand out just by staying open.

Don't: Overshare or gossip

Being friendly doesn’t mean being unfiltered.

Keep things professional. Don’t trash talk your college. Don’t complain about other teams. Don’t say things in confidence that you wouldn’t want repeated in a meeting room.

You're still earning trust. Treat your words like they matter.

Do: Ask for feedback before you leave

If you don’t ask, you won’t get it.

A few days before your internship ends, ask your mentor what you did well, and where you can improve. You’ll learn something useful and you’ll leave a final good impression.

You can also ask for a testimonial or a LinkedIn recommendation. The best time to do this is while your work is still fresh in their mind.

tl;dr — A quick recap before you walk in

Be the person who’s always five minutes early, never too shy to ask questions, and always looking for ways to help. Don’t just do the work. Be visible. Be respectful. Be curious. That’s what turns an internship into a real opportunity.

• Be punctual, polite, and proactive

• Don’t act like a college student

• Take notes, take initiative

• Talk to people, even outside your team

• Watch and learn how work really gets done

• Feedback is your friend

• Keep it professional, especially in conversations

• Ask for feedback before leaving