Recommendations to help student interns in administrative positions maximize their educational opportunities vis-a-vis the "real world" and to also help them avoid certain placement-associated problems. The suggestions may be helpful to both new and established internship directors as well. Attention is focused on governmental administrative placements. In terms of specific student needs, four basic goals are addressed: providing prospective interns with an idea of what to expect in a field placement, providing students with information so that they can intelligently decide whether to participate in an internship, forewarning students about problems that may be encountered, and enabling students to survive the internship and to maximize the possible benefits associated with their educational experience. In particular, advice is presented on the following concerns: feeling "dumb," punctuality, reading newspapers, establishing a work schedule, what to wear, asking questions, being an extrovert, the lunch hour, honesty, measuring one's performance, appreciating the secretary, informal overtime, sex roles, teamwork, "burning bridges," doing good work, keeping a closed mouth, dating practices, meeting with exiting interns, insolvable problems, the older worker, and the organization of the internship. (SW)