Surviving the DC Heat: Tips for Your Summer Internship

By the Editors

Presentation is part of the game. Whether it's in the way you dress, how your hair is styled, or how you introduce yourself— people notice, and a certain message is sent. Internships are made for learning, making mistakes, and making connections. Don't let frizzy hair or a wrinkled blouse be the thing that makes you self conscious, so you can't perform to your best ability— after all, they hired you, didn't they! Here are a few lessons the Editors have learned along the way, all the while battling the summer heat in our internships in D.C.

Summer heat doesn't mean you come in sweaty, ever

Bring blotting papers in your bag, make your way to the restroom— cool off before you enter that room looking like someone just threw you into a pool.  

If your hair doesn't look good to you, it doesn't look good to anyone

Figure out your hair. Spend time on this, even if it means waking up earlier and curling it. Showing effort in these small but essential aspects creates a particular ethos about your work ethic and the type of person you are. This past summer, President Trump held a gathering where he signed an executive order to help kidney care patients. Some of us interns were invited to the event to help out, and one of my interns got a blow out that day, in case, for some reason, she was to meet anyone important. I wish I had thought of that for the rest of the day— I still do. 

Always bring a brush

Every few hours, when you head to the bathroom, bring your brush to fix your hair. I never leave my house without mine. This way, you'll never be stuck with flat or frizzy hair. I keep a compact brush in my tote that unfolds, and I use it multiple times a day.

When in doubt, wear a bun

If you're having one of those bad hair days (we've all been there), tie back and wrap your hair into a sleek bun. A tight bun always looks professional and is humidity foolproof.

A wrinkled blouse, a messy house

Do you ever wonder what would happen if an interviewer wanted to go to lunch and asked you to drive? This story sounds unlikely— but the point is, your car should always be clean. Not for the interviewer— but for you, and secondly, in case anything obscure like this ever does happen. Taking pride in the things you own, no matter how expensive or cheap, says something about you. If your blouse is wrinkly, it conveys a certain subconscious message to others. It may not be immediate, but it might stick in the back of your co-workers' minds longer than it would take you to iron your blouse or swap it for a different top altogether. If your desk allows, keep a hanger there to hang your blazer or sweater while you work. That way, you're always wrinkle-free!  

Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize

We've all been on that intern budget. Correction. That D.C. intern budget. It's low if it's there at all. That's okay because your experience will make up for it down the road— but that also means that your wardrobe might be limited, and that's okay! But something else to help make outfits seem new and exciting while wearing on repeat is to accessorize yourself! A scarf, a belt, a different blazer, or even a different bag will help break up your outfit's conformity.

Bring a blazer

While it might be 95 degrees and 100 percent humidity outside, your office won't be. I found myself freezing in the office all the time last summer. I brought a blazer to work every day to throw over my shoulders when the office air conditioning was going strong.

Air on the side of business professional

Better to be overdressed than underdressed!

Be prepared for after-work happy hour

This is a time to mingle with your co-workers, make connections with your boss— show your unique and memorable personality away from the office, where you're still a fish out of water. Being prepared for this means wearing something you feel confident inside the workplace and out of it. Maybe this is where you add a lipstick or slip away to the bathroom to joosh your hair, bring out the heels, etc. 

Don't forget your flats

When walking to the office or grabbing lunch down the street, having a pair of comfy flats to change into is best practice. Avoid blisters or worn in heels by changing your footwear

While you will absolutely want to be known for the work you do inside the office, you never want something controllable to be the reason you don't succeed— whether it's something that makes you perform at a lower level because you are self-conscious, or because someone else takes your presentation to assign you into a category. Whatever it is— these aspects can give you a leg up and make you look the part, helping you to believe that you deserve to be there.

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