On the ninth day of Christmas, The CollegeBound Network gave to me…

NINE LATTES A-FOAMIN’

No, this is not a reference to the number of caffeinated beverages a college student needs to make it through the day. Rather, this a nod to one of the mundane tasks you’ll be doing as an intern–getting everyone’s coffee orders in the morning.

A college internship is not meant to be glamorous. But it is a learning experience. Remembering how many shots of espresso your supervisor likes in his or her grande caramel macchiato might not seem related to your major, but making the coffee rounds will give you an opportunity to interact with people on the staff. Even that brief moment you have with each person as you hand off that steaming cup of java is an opportunity to see how you’ll thrive in an office setting.

As a college student, you might not yet realize how much a winning personality goes hand in hand with ability. For example, you might turn out to be the next Donald Trump when it comes to your business acumen, but if you can’t interact with people as well as he can, you won’t make it.

The same can be said for getting the coffee, making copies, or any other “grunt work” that is usually handed off to the unpaid intern. If you can do it all with a smile on your face and a spring in your step, people will notice. No one likes to talk to grumpy people. But for a cheery intern who says “Good morning” each day, they might stop to say hello, maybe even tell you a little bit about the project they’re working on. That’s where the real value comes from in an internship, and it’s what you’ll put to use when you get hired for your first real job.

But for now, it’s foamy lattes. And make it snappy!

–Barbara Bellesi