Students: Avoid "Common Sense" Mistakes

This summer, I've been working hard to improve my work as a PR intern. I always ask for advice and wisdom from my co-workers and supervisors, who've been more than willing to share their knowledge with me.

During a recent Tweetup I attended, one PR pro mentioned his surprise at how many "common sense" bloopers he's seen from students. This prompted me to dig deeper to see if I could find others who've witnessed similar student blunders.

So I've been asking, "What's the biggest common sense mistake you've seen an intern/student make?" Here is some advice based on the responses I've received so far:

• Don't Be Afraid to Ask Questions. If you're not sure about something, it's better to ask a question than spend time doing something incorrectly--only to have to go back and re-do it. You could waste more time and resources screwing up a project than you would asking a few questions here and there. Remember, we're still learning (about the profession and about the company/client), so don't be ashamed if you have to ask for guidance every once in a while. And if your work environment isn't exactly "question-friendly," it probably isn't going to be the best learning experience, and you may want to re-evaluate your goals for the position.
  
• Don't Expect People to Hold Your Hand. Never expect a handout from someone, especially someone you've only met once or twice. Example: After a brief initial conversation, one student told a pro to contact him to set up an agency tour. If an agency agrees to make special accommodations and allow you to come in for a tour, that is called a favor and you should be thankful. It is then your responsibility to follow up with an email or phone call and try to set up possible dates, unless the person specifically says they will get back to you.
  
• Follow the Corporate Dress Code. Every company is different, but there are almost always guidelines for office wardrobe. Some offices allow sleeveless or short-sleeved shirts to be worn, others do not. Some permit blue jeans on Fridays, some do not. It can be difficult to find a happy medium between being under-dressed and over-dressed, but after a while you start to catch on. The important thing here is never to dress inappropriately. I can't speak from experience on what is inappropriate for men to wear, but women definitely shouldn't wear clothing that shows too much chest or leg, or anything that you can see through. Dressing inappropriately often makes others in the office feel uncomfortable around you, and usually will lead to an awkward conversation between you and your supervisor. If you're not sure about what is appropriate for your office, ask! Many companies have written guidelines to follow. When in doubt, if it's something you would wear to the club on Friday night, it's probably not office-appropriate.
• Remember, we all have to start somewhere. One intern was surprised she was assigned to make copies of a proposal. Another never thought he would have to build a media list. Like it or not, both of these tasks are very common in the PR world. And while they may seem monotonous to some, these assignments can actually be very beneficial learning experiences. Making copies of a proposal often allows you to get an understanding of what makes a good proposal, while building a media list helps you learn the names and beats of members of the media. Acting like you're above a task is not only bad character, it shows you are not willing to work your way toward more responsibility. Every project should be greeted with enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn--unless of course it is unethical or inappropriate. Chances are your supervisors and co-workers started off as interns themselves, and have been able to move up with a little hard work and determination.

While making mistakes is a part of life, I feel students need to take a proactive approach to learn from the mistakes of others. Attending workshops and conferences and asking others about their experiences are great ways to ensure you're on top of your game. And remember, if you make a mistake, don't be ashamed or afraid to admit it--learn from it.

What are some other "common sense" mistakes interns/students make? Were any of them unforgivable?