What Does an Intern Need to Know on Day One?

MeyerFire University | BS001.02

By Joe Meyer, PE

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• Notes Page [PDF]

BS001 SERIES

1. What Makes for a Great Internship?
2. What Does an Intern Need-to-Know on Day 1?
3. What are 3 Big Mistakes a New Hire Can Make?
4. How do I Make an Impact in My Internship?
5. How Can I Learn and Grow Professionally?
6. Am I Needed in This Industry?
7. Why Go "All-In" on Fire Protection?
8. What's a Secret for Sustainable Success?
9. Difference Between a Job and a Career?
10. How Can I Actually Make Change Happen?

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TRANSCRIPT

What does an intern need to know on day one?  

Nothing! 

That’s all for today. 

Just kidding.  

But really, in most circumstances, an intern really doesn’t need to come in with any prior knowledge about the industry.  

I’m talking specifically about fire suppression, fire alarm, and code and life safety.  

If you studied any of these specifically, then expectations will be different.  

But you’d be the exception rather than the rule. You already have a leg up. 

For most of us in fire protection, we didn’t study the industry in depth before an internship or our first job. 

Even if you did study it quite a bit, the far majority of the important knowledge you’re going to gain is through on the job training.  

Why do experienced people get paid more than inexperienced? 

It’s not because they’ve breathed air longer – it’s because they tend to be more valuable to a company.  

They can solve tougher problems, provide greater value to clients, or do work faster. They’ve learned on the job just like we all have. 

And that’s not a bad thing. 

Even more so, an intern on day one in general is not expected to know much. 

What is more important than what you know today is that you’re willing to soak in and be open minded to learning new things.  

Ask basic questions now. It’s OK if you don’t know anything, you’re here to learn.  

The best case for an employer is that an intern comes in, is open minded, and is willing to take on new tasks and learn new things. That’s what an internship is all about. 

Relax, enjoy the ride and soak up as many opportunities to learn as you can. 

I'm Joe Meyer, this is MeyerFire University.