I was accepted into a lab internship, and I start really soon. I will be helping with psych research at a local hospital lab, and I honestly have no clue what to expect. Since I am a high school student, I cannot really do much work because I am not qualified and am limited in what safety procedures will allow. Honestly, I am just looking for reassurance (I feel like I know nothing and won’t be of any help) and practical tips-- what do I even wear to this sort of position? Jeans? A dress? This is my first time working, and I am just so nervous! It’s even the silly things like how long is a lunch break…will they tell me when to leave for lunch and for the end of the day? Should I bring a laptop to work? Do I address other people in the lab by their first names or by Mr. and Mrs? Sorry for the longwinded-ness, this is all just very new to me. In the end, I know that no one is looking to hate me, and I can ask questions etc and that this will be an amazingly valuable experience; I just want to seem professional and hopefully get the chance to learn!
Call whoever hired you and ask what the dress code is, if in doubt, the dressy side of business casual is usually safe. Maybe a skirt and nice blouse the first day and flat shoes. I wouldn’t bring a lap top or lunch the first day. Often someone will take you out for lunch or you’ll all go to the cafeteria. After that you can play it by ear - you can save a lot of money if you bring lunch. Ask questions when you don’t know what to do, or have nothing to do, but not so many that you get annoying!
Wear business casual for the first day. Better to be overdressed than underdressed. Once you see how everyone else is dressed, then you can dress similarly to them. Be sure to wear closed toe shoes. (This is often a safety requirement for hospitals and research labs.)
Address individuals by the title they are introduced to you with. (Dr. Smith, Ms. Jones) If the individual says “call me Susie”, then you’re free to address them that way. But don’t presume.
Because those who hired you and those working with you know you’re a new intern and a high school student, they will tell you/show you what you need to know to do your job. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if the explanation isn’t clear or you aren’t sure what you’re supposed to be doing exactly, but don’t pester or ask unnecessary, irrelevant or repetitive questions. Your labmates have their own jobs to do. When you aren’t busy, ask if you can observe some of the other things going on in the lab. That’s a great way to learn how the lab functions and what the purpose of the research is.
Do NOT bring your laptop to the lab. In fact, make sure you turn off your cell phone and leave it in your purse, backpack or locker the first day. If your supervisor says it’s OK to bring it later on, then fine, but you don’t want the distractions/temptations a cell phone might cause on your first day.
Lunch is usually 30, 45 or 60 minutes long. (Depends on the specific policy at the lab.) Your supervisor will tell you when you can take a break for lunch. (Or if it appears everyone is leaving at the same time for lunch, then go along with them.) If you’re unsure how long lunch is, ask.
Thank you guys! It helps to have any information going in, just so I feel a little more comfortable on my first day!