Low on the totem pole? So what!

You spent all of January beefing up your resume and filling out applications. In February, you prepped incessantly for your call back interview. Now that it's March, you're eagerly waiting in anticipation for that acceptance letter. Come April you'll find out whether or not you got that internship and not long after, you'll either be nursing your bruised ego or celebrating your acceptance into that long-coveted internship.

If you're lucky enough to be one of the chosen, hold off on that celebration; the work isn't over yet. The biggest mistake students can make once they get into their top internship choice is to think that they're in the clear. Don't get so caught up in the process that you forget about the goal: to make a good impression and to establish connections for the future. Whether you're about to enter into your first internship or you're a wizened veteran, these tips will help you survive, and make the most of, your summer internship.

Dress for success: You may not judge a book by its cover, but your employer certainly will. You've already wowed them with your impressive credentials -- follow through by looking clean on your first day. You can still dress to your personality, but just remember to keep it formal. A cardinal rule is to not wear anything you feel uncomfortable in. Also keep in mind where you are working. Some internship work settings are less formal than others. If you are unsure about what to wear, send a quick e-mail or phone call to the intern coordinator or your intern supervisor to ask what's up.

Work hard: This may seem obvious, but there are plenty of interns who slack off when summer comes around. Call it an innate college student reflex to start lounging around in a hazy stupor when the sunny months roll in; whatever it is, it doesn't help get you good graces with your employer. Being the intern who works late is better than being the intern who surfs the net and takes eight coffee breaks before lunch. If you are working with other interns, strive to work as hard or harder than your peers. According to the law of the jungle, the weakest of the pack gets picked off first. Don't be the sickly wildebeest.

Be proactive! Avoid being the resident coffee pot. If you're not getting the assignments you were expecting to get out of your internship, ask for them. Intern supervisors come in different stripes. Sometimes you'll get one who is very accommodating; other supervisors would rather be left alone. Whichever the case, stay engaged and communicate with your supervisor so you don't spend the summer rearranging the paperclips on your desk.

Network: Now that you're in, make use of your resources. Internships are a great opportunity to make connections for the future, be they future internships, recommendations or job opportunities. Your employers will also be the ideal sources of answers to your questions. Think of them as academic advisors for the real world and ask them to help you get a jump start to your future.

Keep in touch: Don't lose sight of your contacts once the summer ends. Remember that there will most likely be a new intern to replace you come next summer. You need to keep your face fresh in your employee's mind; otherwise the impression you've made will vanish and be replaced by a slew of new wide-eyed interns who are dying to make a lasting impression. Keep in touch by keeping your supervisor updated on your academic progress and developments. Maintaining your lines of communication will also make that "hey, can I get a recommendation?" e-mail less awkward when you're applying for your next internship.