Ten must read books for interns

Internships are a great way to gain valuable experience, learn new skills, and network with professionals in your field of interest. However, internships can also be challenging, stressful, and overwhelming at times. That’s why it’s important to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for the internship journey. One way to do that is by reading books that can inspire you, motivate you, and teach you how to succeed as an intern.

Here are 10 must-read books for interns that cover various topics such as career development, communication, leadership, creativity, and more. These books will help you make the most of your internship opportunity and achieve your goals.

1. The Ultimate Guide to Internships: 100 Steps to Get a Great Internship and Thrive in It by Eric Woodard

This book is a comprehensive guide on how to find, apply, and excel in an internship. It covers everything from identifying internships that match your career goals, to impressing your employer and superiors, to networking effectively in the work environment, to transitioning to a full-time job. The author, Eric Woodard, is a former White House intern who has mentored hundreds of interns in his career. He shares his insights and tips on how to make the most of your internship experience and stand out as the best intern in the office.

2. How to Lie with Statistics by Darrell Huff

This book is a classic introduction to statistics and how they can be manipulated and misinterpreted. It teaches you how to spot common errors and fallacies in graphs, charts, tables, and reports. It also shows you how to use statistics properly and ethically to support your arguments and claims. This book is essential for anyone who deals with data and numbers in their internship, especially in fields such as business, marketing, journalism, research, and more.

3. The Intern – Full Submission by Tara Lawrence

This book is a steamy romance novel that follows the story of Monica, a young intern who falls in love with her boss, Daniel. It is a fun and sexy read that will spice up your internship days. It also explores the challenges and dilemmas of having a workplace romance, such as balancing professionalism and passion, dealing with jealousy and competition, and facing the consequences of breaking the rules. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a good love story with a twist.

4. Monica Speaks Genuine Pearls of Wisdom for Interns by Monica Lewinsky

This book is a collection of advice and wisdom from Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern who became famous for her scandalous affair with President Bill Clinton. She shares her personal stories and lessons learned from her internship experience and how she overcame the public humiliation and backlash that followed. She also offers practical tips on how to handle difficult situations, cope with stress, protect your reputation, and rebuild your life after a mistake. This book is inspiring and empowering for anyone who faces challenges and struggles in their internship.

5. The Intern: A Freshman Spy Novel by T.K. Lee

This book is a thrilling spy novel that follows the adventures of Alex Chen, a freshman at Yale who gets recruited by the CIA as an intern. He gets assigned to infiltrate a secret society that is plotting to overthrow the government. He has to juggle his academic studies, his social life, and his spy missions while keeping his identity a secret. He also has to deal with the dangers and risks of being a spy, such as betrayal, deception, violence, and death. This book is exciting and suspenseful for anyone who loves a good spy story.

6. The Intern Blues: The Timeless Classic About the Making of a Doctor by Robert Marion

This book is a candid account of the lives of three medical interns who go through their first year of residency at a New York hospital. It reveals the harsh realities and challenges of being a doctor in training, such as long hours, sleep deprivation, emotional stress, ethical dilemmas, life-and-death decisions, and more. It also shows the personal growth and development of the interns as they learn from their mistakes, cope with their failures, celebrate their successes, and find their passion for medicine. This book is eye-opening and inspiring for anyone who wants to pursue a career in medicine or health care.

7. The Intern’s Manifesto: How to Survive Your First Ever Office Job by Martin Lukes

This book is a humorous guide on how to survive your first ever office job as an intern. It covers topics such as office etiquette, dress code, email communication, meeting protocol, office politics, performance reviews, and more. It also provides tips on how to impress your boss, colleagues, and clients, how to avoid common pitfalls and blunders, and how to have fun and enjoy your work. This book is entertaining and informative for anyone who wants to learn the ropes of the corporate world.

8. The Intern Files: How to Get, Keep, and Make the Most of Your Internship by Jamie Fedorko

This book is a practical guide on how to get, keep, and make the most of your internship. It covers topics such as finding and applying for internships, preparing for interviews, writing resumes and cover letters, negotiating offers, setting goals and expectations, managing your time and workload, dealing with feedback and criticism, networking and building relationships, and more. It also features real-life stories and examples from former interns who share their experiences and advice. This book is helpful and insightful for anyone who wants to succeed in their internship.

9. The Intern’s Handbook: A Thriller by Shane Kuhn

This book is a thrilling novel that follows the exploits of John Lago, an intern at a prestigious law firm who is actually a hired assassin. He is part of a secret organisation that uses interns as undercover agents to infiltrate and eliminate high-profile targets. He has to blend in with his fellow interns, complete his assignments, and avoid detection. He also has to deal with his personal issues, such as his troubled past, his conflicted feelings for his co-worker, and his impending retirement from the organisation. This book is action-packed and riveting for anyone who likes a good thriller.

10. The Intern Queen: All Work, No Pay by Lauren Berger

This book is an inspiring memoir and guide by Lauren Berger, the founder of InternQueen.com, a website that connects students with internships. She shares her story of how she completed 15 internships in four years while studying at college. She also offers tips and advice on how to find, apply, and land your dream internship, how to balance your academic and professional life, how to network and build your personal brand, how to turn your internship into a job offer, and more. This book is motivating and empowering for anyone who wants to follow their dreams.

Reading these books will not only enrich your mind but also prepare you for your internship journey. Happy reading! 

Text by Harender Singh