Internships are a great way to gain firsthand experience, but you can never shake off the worry that you’re going to be horribly exploited or stuck making tea for 200 people every day for a month. But being an unpaid intern should help your career in the long run…if you make sure that you get the most out of it. You need to impress the right people and prove you’re a capable worker, but you also need to make sure that you know your rights. Follow our handy guide to make your internship work for you.

• On your first day, make sure you’re fully aware of what you are there to do and what your responsibilities are. If you’re offered expenses to cover travel costs etc, find out how much you’re getting and when you’ll get it, and be clear on the hours that you will be expected to work. Not only are you covering yourself here, it will also show that you’re mature and responsible.

• If you need to use any specialist equipment or computer software, make sure that you are properly trained, because mistakes down the line can be costly and time consuming.

• Show up on time! You might not be being paid to work, but a good work ethic is vital. Remember, the company who offered you the internship are also doing you a favour.

• Dress for the job- if everyone else wears a tie, you wear a tie. A casual office does not mean dirty jeans are appropriate, and nor is it ever ok to dress like you’re heading to a club straight after work. And ladies, high heels may make you feel smart, but they won’t be practical if you have to run around delivering the mail.

• Network, network, network. Make friends with everyone in the office, from the cleaners to the managers. Not only will it prove that you’re a friendly and likeable person, it will also help you build up a list of contacts who could potentially help you in the future.

• Carry a notebook at all times. Information may be thrown at you from all sides, and you’ll need to show that you can recall it when asked. It will also help you remember everything you’ve done and learnt when the time comes to update your CV.

• Don’t become the office gossip, because you can’t afford to give yourself a bad name.

• Make it clear that you can handle yourself and your responsibilities. When you finish one task, don’t sit there twiddling your thumbs waiting to be told what to do next- ask what else needs to be done, or if there is anything you can help with…

• BUT don’t ever be afraid to ask for help, as it will be a lot less embarrassing than trying to cover up a mistake.

• You might dread the thought of making endless cups of tea for everyone, but it won’t hurt to offer every once in a while.  Being the office runner or tea girl certainly isn’t glamorous, but we all have to work up from the bottom.

• You will probably have to work very hard, but always do so with good grace. You might decide that agreeing to intern was a terrible mistake, but it will only last for a few weeks, and moaning to everyone in the office won’t do you any favours.

• Keep reminding yourself (and your parents, who will no doubt be convinced you’re being exploited) of the pros of interning- you’re gaining real world experience, learning new skills, and giving your CV an impressive update. Experience counts for everything.

• When your internship ends, make it clear that you don’t want to sever ties. If you’re lucky, there may be an offer to extend your internship, or even a job. If not, keeping up a dialogue after you leave will make it easier for them to remember you if you ever need to ask for a reference in the future- and more likely for them to comply.

• Make sure that you impress every single day. Even if there isn’t a chance of employment at the end of it, you can still make sure you walk away with a glowing reference.