About the Author:

Morgan Koth is a 2011 graduate of the University of Minnesota and summer intern for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Morgan documents her internship and life after college experiences each week in “The Internship Chronicles.” Be sure to connect with her on Twitter: @4goodmn

I have been an intern at the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a little over a month now, and I am starting to feel comfortable with my work and the people I work with. As a very extroverted and driven individual, I tend to be a go-getter and add more and more to my already jam-packed schedule. While it may seem ambitious and honorary to really step in to help out in above and beyond ways, how does it look to the company in the moments where you come on too strong? You’re walking the fine line with jokes with your superiors; you’re offering your assistance to everyone because you want to get across how capable you really are — those are the moments I am talking about.

This week as I was talking with a few of the women I work with, I realized how important it is to begin and treat any new job as a learning process. A process built upon the discovery and understanding of how to do the work you do and how to build relationships with your co-workers — especially your supervisors. Making that process a gradual and increasingly independent experience ensures positive impressions and encouraging relationships with co-workers.

Ideas for relationship development in the workplace:

• Go out to lunch with your co-workers
• Have bi-weekly meetings with your supervisors to check on your learning goals and get feedback on your work
• Attend work-related events and outings

How can we be ‘go-getters’ without over-stepping the boundaries? And, in contrast, how can we ensure we are making enough of an impression—maybe a good question for the introverts—on our supervisors?