12 questions media students must ask themselves when they are working as interns

1. Have I been able to get rid of the student mindset and develop a professional mindset? Will I be able to continue to think like a professional even after the internship ends and I return to college?

2. How important is it for me to read newspapers? Magazines? Books?

3. How important is it to have good speaking and writing skills?

4. How important is it to have people skills?

5. How important is it to be able to make intelligent conversation and develop genuine friendships with co-workers? How easy is it?

6. How important is it to be curious and ask interesting questions?

7. How important is it to take the initiative?

8. How important is it to be able to work under pressure?

9. How important is it to be able to meet deadlines?

10. How important is it to have breakfast every day (because I have no idea when my next meal will be)?

11. Has this internship helped me to discover my true calling? Or has this internship helped me realise that this particular field is not for me?

12. How has my college helped prepare me for this internship?

And perhaps the most important question of all (so let's make it a baker's dozen): AM I DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE I GET A CALL-BACK WHEN I AM READY TO BEGIN WORKING FULL-TIME?

• ALSO READ: "How to have a successful AVC-related internship" and "How to have a successful MMC-related internship" 

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UPDATE (April 29, 2014)

Commitscion ATREYI DASGUPTA (Class of 2015),
who is in the midst of her internship
with Shree Venkatesh Films in Kolkata,
answers 12 questions media students must ask
themselves when they are working as interns 

1. Have I been able to get rid of the student mindset and develop a professional mindset? Will I be able to continue to think like a professional even after the internship ends and I return to college?
This internship has enabled me to shake off my student mindset and develop a professional mindset. Now I am sure I can work with a professional mindset even after the internship ends.

2. How important is it for me to read newspapers? Magazines? Books?
Reading on a regular basis is very important; it helps us to stay updated. Reading a newspaper every day is of paramount importance. It is reading that helps us to communicate with people intelligently, which, in turn, will help create a good impression about us.

3. How important is it to have good speaking and writing skills?
In the professional world, good speaking skills, I think, are much more important than writing skills. At every stage we have to communicate with our superiors as well as with those who are our subordinates. We have to learn to keep calm whatever the situation may be and sort out things using our communication skills. 

4. How important is it to have people skills?
We have to know how to talk to people and, when required, “manage” them and get them to do what we want, so people skills are essential.

ATREYI DASGUPTA STRIKES A POSE AS A "COMMITS TV" REPORTER.

5. How important is it to be able to make intelligent conversation and develop genuine friendships with co-workers? How easy is it?
If we are able to understand what will make our co-workers interested in talking or what topics they like to discuss and if we have a sound knowledge of the subject, then it becomes very easy to strike up an intelligent conversation. I would like to add here that if you can talk from your heart, making genuine friendships is not that difficult. 

6. How important is it to be curious and ask interesting questions?
It is imperative to be curious. Unless we ask questions and show our interest in relevant topics, no one will take us seriously. This is what I have learned during this internship. 

7. How important is it to take the initiative?
Taking the initiative is very crucial. We should always ask for work and complete the task assigned to us properly and in time. We should never lose hope and remain enthusiastic about all kinds of jobs given to us.

8. How important is it to be able to work under pressure?
Working under pressure can be fraught with peril. We not only have to complete our projects in time but we also have to ensure work quality. This is something that we can learn to do with experience. 

9. How important is it to be able to meet deadlines?
We should never miss a deadline. “Missing a deadline is like a crime” — this is what my boss told me in the very first week here. 

10. How important is it to have breakfast every day (because I have no idea when my next meal will be)?
It is very important to have breakfast every day because the work schedule keeps changing from time to time.

11. Has this internship helped me to discover my true calling? Or has this internship helped me realise that this particular field is not for me?
This internship has made me more determined to reach my goal. It has taught me that the path to success is not easy. I know now that I have to learn many more professional skills. And I also know I have a long way to go to achieve my ambition.

12. How has my college helped prepare me for this internship?
Commits has taught me to take the initiative, communicate clearly, treat work seriously but at the same time enjoy my work and not grumble about it. Commits has also taught me the importance of professionalism and the value of time (we should never be late at work). In addition, it has taught me to keep my cool at all times and deal with every situation calmly and with patience. Without Commits I could never have been what I am today. Commits has taught me not only how to survive in a professional environment but also how to thrive in it.