[RobN]

Having intern experience in the '90s, I'll chime in:

1. Do dress business casual-Pants with no holes/patches/sayings/safety pins, etc., a golf shirt or long/short sleeve shirt with a collar and appropriate footwear.
- I agree. Leave the strange clothing to the artists. I would recommend something not too prep, though (people going to studios tend to think of everyone inside as a musician .

2. Do be properly bathed and groomed.
- Again, leave the sloppiness to the artists.

3. Don’t EVER be late! That one will, at the very least, put you on the bottom of the list of people the Staff will invite into a session and, at worst, mean your termination from the studio.
- This is the worst thing you can do next to being hesitant. Show up early and take ANY thing they throw at you.

4. Do memorize the studio’s inventory of equipment, how it operates and where/how each item must be placed when asked to retrieve or put back an item.
- This is a very helpful idea. Memorize the mics at least (as interns frequently get to set them up and the first will just yell "get the CAD") It will also pay to pay attention to what and where things are used frequently (i.e. mic choice and placement).

5. Do ask a Senior Staff member before touching ANY piece of equipment. You may inadvertently destroy someone’s “Setup” or the product they have been working on and have a deadline to complete.
- Don't touch unless asked or told! Mess up something the first was working on and your dead.

6. Don’t offer suggestions to Senior Staff or clients no matter how brilliant you think it is or how wrong you believe they are. Everyone has their own way of doing things and if you wait long enough, the reason for their actions will become clear. If you would like to know why, ask ONLY the Senior Staff and ONLY when they are not working on a project and are not in front of the client.
- My advice is to be a shadow until needed. Don't even chat with the client unless they pointedly talk to you.

7. Do assume that every closed door is a session in progress. You may enter only if “Invited” or a message needs to be delivered. (More on messages later).
- If your not in the room, your not needed.

8. Do use “Yes, Mr.______” or “Yes, Ms.______ to address ANYONE unless you are instructed by that individual to do otherwise.
- This I don't see as that big of a problem. Every studio I've ever worked in has been pretty much laid back. I have only met a handfull of clients that did not introduce themselves when I was an intern.

9. Do speak only when spoken to.
- Like I said; be a shadow.

10. Do respect and protect the privacy and intellectual property of ALL individuals at the studio. That means don’t name drop to your friends or persons on the phone and NEVER make unauthorized copies of ANY material for ANY reason.
- This is a no-brainer. The recordings aren't yours. If you are lucky (I was) the studio owner/manager may have some old recordings that are available for use as snippets (not whole songs) for a demo tape for yourself and practice on the equipment at odd hours. This opportunity should not be wasted.

11. Do keep all areas of the facility spotlessly clean and stocked. Make lists of items that are in short supply or gone and give that list to your coordinator ASAP. Clean all areas as if your absolute “Favorite artist in the whole world” will be using it because they just might!
- The main purpose of the intern: the dirty work. You will have to clean the bathroom, sweep the floors and pick up the engineer's lunch droppings (as well as his lunch), but that's the deal.

12. Don’t interrupt ANY conversation. Wait until you are recognized or there is a break in the conversations and always say, “Pardon me Mr. or Ms. ______... “
- Even if the message is urgent (except for "FIRE!" or "They're stealing the mics!")

13. Do keep a smile on your face no matter how bad your day I going. A positive attitude will make others around you want to help and teach you what they know (…and that’s what you’re there for isn’t it?)
- Do this even if the engineer sees you as a threat (which some will, trust me). Eventually everyone will like a pleasant person.

14. Do keep your word. If you tell someone you will do something, DO IT! If you are in the middle of another task, properly weigh the priority of the second task or cordially ask the individual if you may complete the task you are currently working on first. Don’t allow yourself to become overwhelmed and ALWAYS politely ask for help when you need it. You will garner more respect and it will help you to delegate responsibility when YOU are in a position of authority.
- You are expected to ask for help. If it is warranted, it will be a good sign to the studio staff.

15. Do keep a small note pad in your pocket to take down important information (like the 25 different microphone model numbers the producer just asked you to retrieve).
- Great idea.

I will also put in to expect to wait for awhile to get into any kind of action. My first internship took 6 friggin' months before I was booked with a vocal. And they didn't even show up! Expect to sit through grueling overdubs of not-so-good singers. Expect to be around moody people. Expect to witness uncomfortable situations between bandmates. Expect to remind people again and again that they "can't smoke in here" and "watch the drinks, please". Most importantly, expect to mess up. Everyone does. Just try not to make a mistake that erases the masters.