Let’s be honest, the workforce is much different from school. Maybe you’re stepping out for your first internship this summer, maybe you’re returning to the workplace after awhile. This article has everything you need to get through your first few weeks at your new “big girl” job; packed with the essentials, you should always feel free to add things that you deem necessary too.

I’ve just landed my first summer internship, and I scoured the internet for what to bring, but there are so many opinions out there and I cannot possibly fit everything in my bag. I’ve compiled the most unanimous and generally necessary items to make your life simpler. If you’re struggling with which bag to get or what to wear, check out my other article on the perfect corporate capsule wardrobe, here .

Photo by cottonbro studio from Pexels

1. Mini First Aid Kit

Something you do not want to miss is a mini emergency kit with all of your medical essentials. You can either buy the entire kit at Target , or build your own. Whether you're making your own or buying the entire kit, I’d add the following:

- Bandaids

- Emergency period products (pads, tampons, liners)

- Medication (Advil, Tylenol)

- Mini sewing kit, this one at Target is a great addition!

2. Deodorant

This one might be overlooked or unnecessary depending on the weather, but, if you’re going away in the summer like me, you need this! It’s perfect for freshening up if you’re running around all day as an intern, or great to touch up before heading out for drinks after work.

I love this 3-pack from Walmart , or if you’re in Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart has these too.

Photo by Alex Kinkate from Pexels

3. Lip balm/gloss

As an intern, you’ll probably be talking a lot. You don’t want to be stuck with chapped lips, especially in the summer heat. My favorite lip balms are these Burt’s Bees from Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, or Target . They have lots of tinted ones, and they keep my lips moisturized all day.

If you’re more of a gloss girl like me, I absolutely love the E.L.F. Glow Reviver Lip Oil at Shoppers Drug Mart , they have so many beautiful shades and just came out with some shimmery ones too! It’s a super light lip oil formula that sits in that perfect spot between oily and tacky. You can also get it at Target .

If you’re wanting a really high quality lip treatment that lasts all day, I’d go for the Ole Henriksen Pout Preserve Hydrating Peptide lip treatment. It’s so popular online for a reason, the soft applicator and all the different scents make it worth the price tag. Get it at Sephora here.

4. Mini lint roller

A mini lint roller is a must to look professional all day. I love throwing this mini Scotch one from Shoppers Drug Mart in my bag and just running it over my outfit quickly before going out. It’s especially great if it’s winter and your coat get your outfit all fluffy.

5: Hand sanitizer

This one is a must, especially after COVID. For traditional sanitizer, Purell is a great choice. However, if you’re more of the spray type, Honest and Touchland have great scents.

You can get sanitizer pretty much anywhere, but in Canada you can only get Touchland at Sephora . This is a new addition to the Sephora family, but I ran to get the Berry Bliss scent when it came out. It hasn’t disappointed me, and I know it’s going to be perfect to have in my bag

6: Pens and a notebook

For the workplace, you never know when you’re going to need to sign something or write something down. Especially as an intern, you’ll want to make sure you have the tools you need if you have to write something important down.

Photo by Alex Azabache from Pexels

7: Water bottle

As an intern, you’ll probably be on your feet all day or just constantly running around. Bring your own refillable water bottle to stay hydrated, to stay healthy and glowing. You’ll most likely be talking a lot too, so this is great to keep your voice going.

It’s also great if you’re going out after work or working out before. Really popular ones right now are the Owalas. Personally, I’ve had a Yeti bottle for the past 5 years and it is still going strong. I also love that Yeti has lots of interchangeable lids for their bottles, making customizable easy.

8: Portable phone charger

If you don’t already have one, you need it. Whether you’re a student, or in the workforce, you don’t want to have your phone die at a crucial moment. You can get one of these pretty much everywhere, but I particularly love this one from Amazon.ca because you can simply plug it into the wall to charge and it has cords for every device.

Bringing an extra cord is helpful too, especially for a larger device like your laptop.

9: Mini hairbrush

You don’t want a massive hairbrush taking up valuable space in your bag, unless you have really thick, long hair, a mini one should suit you perfectly. This great one from Amazon.ca comes with a case to keep the brush clean.

10: Hair ties

Similar with the hairbrush, you just never know when you need to tie your hair up. Hair ties are also useful for tying other things like bags or snacks, so it’s great to have a few on hand. I put these in my first-aid kit to keep track of them!

11: Stain pen

Similar to the mini sewing kit, this is perfect for those wardrobe emergencies. It’s also great to have on hand to help anyone else around you with a stain. The Tide to-go pen is probably the most popular and is available at Target or Shoppers.

12: Tissues

You never really know when you need tissues. From spills to stuffed noses, they come in handy for everything. Pick up a small pack at any department store and put one in each bag you have!

Photo by Photo By Kaboompics.com from Pexels

13: Gum/mints

This is pretty self-explanatory; nobody wants bad breath. If you have a desk, you might want to keep a mini toothbrush and toothpaste. However, as an intern, you probably won’t have that luxury.

Floss also goes hand-in-hand with this, so it’s a good idea to throw that in your bag too. I prefer floss picks for on the go as opposed to string floss.

14: Hand lotion

I don’t know about you, but I have the driest hands ever. In the summer, it’s definitely not as bad, but I still need that extra help with hydration. I really love the Hempz hand lotion, the travel size is so perfect to bring around and the formulation sinks into the skin immediately without feeling greasy or oily. You can get it from Target or Winners in Canada.

15: Snacks

Lastly, a high protein snack is great to keep on hand. Whether you’re working late, missed lunch, or going somewhere right after work – a snack is necessary to keep your energy level up. Everyone has different preferences but generally, a protein bar or small protein balls are perfect for this.

Photo by Darina Belonogova from Pexels

Honorable mentions:

These are some items that can be really useful, but didn’t quite make the “essential” cut for this list. They might be climate-dependent, or personal preference.

- Mini umbrella

- Cosmetics for touch up

- Mini nail kit

- Makeup wipes

- Floss

Everyone’s going to want and need different things throughout the day, and as you gain experience in the workplace, you’ll understand what needs to be added or taken out. This list gives you a jumping point and can help those who are new to the corporate world feel a bit more confident on their first day.

Tune into my other articles in my Corporate Girlie series for more tips and tricks for those new to corporate life like me!