The Etiquette of Preparedness: College Intern Supply List

Here are a few suggestions for what the college intern should keep in his or her desk drawer:

Energy food – Stock your desk with healthy food and drinks, such as granola bars, wheat crackers, water, and juice. Avoid highly caffeinated energy drinks and sugary snacks. Love caffeine? Bring instant coffee, hot chocolate, and/or tea packets. When you feel your energy is low, reach for a snack that will refuel you and help get through the day with success.

Office supplies – Ask your boss for an ample supply of pens, pencils, a stapler and other office supplies that will improve the quality of your work. Depending on the nature of your job, you may consider asking your boss for your own business cards that you can use when representing the company. Reserve a spot in your desk for business cards you collect as you meet clients along the way.

First-aid kit – You never know when you may get a paper cut or a splitting headache. Keep a small first-aid kit in your drawer, complete with bandages, ibuprofen, eye drops and chapstick.

Camera and a fully-charged phone – With social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) being such a popular form of communication, taking quality photos is often a must. Unless your smartphone has a high-quality camera (many do), a camera is still the best option. Take photos of company events and document your daily life as an intern. If they are quality photos, propose that the company use them on their website and social media accounts.

Freshen up – Interns often arrive to work after a long day at school. Before settling in at your desk, take a quick check and utilize a spritz of lightly scented body spray, deodorant, hand sanitizer, lotion and toothpaste. Keep a few emergency items ready for when you feel the need to refresh.

Chocolate - It’s always nice to have a small bowl of sweets to offer your colleagues or to treat yourself during a busy day at the office.

About the Author:

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and a popular "go to" resource to the modern executive. She travels nationally teaching corporations and universities in the finer points of manners and protocol. Diane is the owner of The Protocol School of Texas and the resident etiquette expert on a successful morning television show, SA Living, an NBC television affiliate. She is routinely quoted in national media outlets such as Real Simple, HGTV Magazine, The New York Times, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, U.S. News & World Report, CBS Money Watch, Kiplinger's and Forbes. The latter publication previously named her blog one of the "Top 100 Websites for Women."