As someone who has managed both toddlers and teams, I can tell you that guiding interns in the building engineering field requires a special kind of patience and precision. Today, I’m sharing some memorable (and hilarious) lessons on the importance of giving very clear explanations to our eager but sometimes confused interns.

The Case of the Short Dress

Let’s start with an unforgettable incident involving a new intern named Emily. Bright-eyed and eager to make a good impression, Emily showed up on her first day at the construction site in a… short dress. Yes, you read that right—a short dress! She looked ready for a summer picnic, not a hard-hat zone. It turns out, our orientation material didn’t explicitly mention the importance of wearing appropriate site attire. After a brief but memorable lesson on construction site fashion (and a quick trip to the nearest store for some jeans), Emily was back on track. Note to self: Be explicit about dress codes. “Smart casual” doesn’t translate well to “steel-toe boots and safety vests” for everyone.

Quantity Takeoff Misunderstood

Next up is Jack, an intern with a keen interest in numbers but a slightly skewed understanding of engineering terminology. During a project, I asked him to perform a quantity takeoff for a section of cracked pavement. Simple enough, right? Well, Jack enthusiastically set out and returned with a meticulously documented count of every single crack in the pavement. Yes, he had counted them—individually. It took a while to explain that we actually needed the lengths of the cracks, not the number of them. He looked at me, then at his notes, and then back at me, and asked, “So you’re telling me my crack count is useless?” Let’s just say we both had a good laugh and he learned a valuable lesson in construction lingo.

Heights and the 51st Floor

Then there was Sarah, who confidently assured us she wasn’t afraid of heights. Perfect, I thought, as we needed to inspect the façades of a skyscraper from a swing-stage. Up we went to the 51st floor. I was engrossed in checking the façade when I noticed Sarah wasn’t beside me. I turned around to find her curled up on the floor of the swing-stage, looking like she was holding on for dear life. Apparently, “not afraid of heights” meant she was fine as long as her feet were firmly on the ground. She bravely faced her fear (or at least endured it while clinging to the floor), and we made it back safely. Lesson learned: Double-check what “not afraid of heights” really means before leaving the ground.

The Precision Principle

These stories highlight the crucial importance of giving very precise explanations to interns. As amusing as these situations were in hindsight, they underscore a vital aspect of mentorship: clear, detailed communication. Interns come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and what seems obvious to seasoned professionals might be completely new to them.

Here are a few tips to ensure your instructions are crystal clear:

1. Be Specific: When discussing dress codes, safety procedures, or technical tasks, assume nothing. Spell out every detail to avoid misunderstandings.
2. Use Visual Aids: Diagrams, charts, and even photos can bridge the gap between what you think you’re saying and what they understand.
3. Check for Understanding: After giving instructions, ask your interns to repeat them back to you in their own words. This helps ensure they’ve grasped the concept.
4. Encourage Questions: Create an environment where interns feel comfortable asking for clarification. No question is too silly if it helps avoid a major mix-up later.
5. Share Real-Life Examples: Stories (like the ones above) not only make the learning process more engaging but also illustrate the importance of getting things right.

Interns bring energy, fresh perspectives, and sometimes a good laugh to the team. With clear communication, we can turn their enthusiasm into competence and help them become the next generation of skilled professionals in our field.

Thanks for joining me on this trip down memory lane. Here’s to clear instructions and fewer dress-code surprises!