Internships are supposed to be learning experiences that help you prepare for your future career. They are supposed to be rewarding and fulfilling.
But what if they are not?
Unfortunately, not all internships are created equal. Some internships are poorly designed, poorly managed, or poorly aligned with your goals and expectations. Some internships are nothing but dead ends that waste your time, energy, and potential.
How can you tell if your internship is a dead end? And what can you do about it?
Here are some common signs that your internship may be a dead end, and some tips on how to address them:
1. You Are Only Given Menial Tasks That Have Nothing to Do with Your Field
One of the main purposes of an internship is to help you gain relevant experience and skills in your chosen field or industry. However, some internships fail to provide you with any meaningful work or learning opportunities. Instead, they assign you to do boring and repetitive tasks that anyone can do, such as answering phones, making coffee, writing irrelevant reports, or filing papers.
This is a red flag that your internship is not providing you with any value or benefit. It shows that your supervisor or employer does not care about your development or contribution. It also shows that your internship is not aligned with your career goals or interests.
What can you do about it?
- Communicate your expectations and goals with your supervisor or employer. Explain what you were hoping to learn and do during your internship, and ask for more challenging and relevant tasks that match your skills and interests.
- Seek out other sources of learning and growth within or outside the organization. For example, you can ask to shadow or assist other employees or departments that are doing work that interests you, or you can enroll in online courses, webinars, workshops, or other learning resources that are related to your field or industry.
- Document your achievements and skills during your internship, even if they are not directly related to your field or industry. For example, you can highlight your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, or time management skills that you demonstrated or improved during your internship.
2. You Have No Clear Job Description, Work Plan, or Feedback
Another purpose of an internship is to help you understand the expectations and standards of your field or industry. However, some internships fail to provide you with any clear guidance or direction on what you are supposed to do, how you are supposed to do it, or how well you are doing it. Instead, they leave you in the dark, confused and frustrated.
This is a red flag that your internship is not helping you develop or improve your performance or skills. It shows that your supervisor or employer does not have a clear vision or plan for your internship, or that they do not care about your progress or feedback. It also shows that your internship is not structured or organized.
What can you do about it?
- Ask for regular feedback or evaluation from your supervisor or employer. Request specific and constructive feedback on your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. Ask for suggestions or recommendations on how to improve your performance or skills.
- Ask for feedback or mentoring from other employees or co-workers, or you can join online communities, forums, or groups that are related to your field or industry (for example, the subreddit r/FinancialCareers is an excellent place to ask any finance-related questions you might have).
- Monitor and evaluate your own performance and skills during your internship. Set your own goals and standards, and track your progress and achievements.
3. You Have No Interaction or Connection with Anyone in the Organization
Another purpose of an internship is to help you network and connect with professionals in your field or industry. However, some internships fail to provide you with any opportunities or platforms to interact or communicate with anyone in the organization or the industry. Instead, they isolate you in a cubicle, a corner, or a remote location.
This is a red flag that your internship is not expanding your network or your opportunities. It shows that your supervisor or employer does not value or promote your involvement or participation. It also shows that your internship is not exposing you to the culture or the environment of your field or industry.
What can you do about it?
- Initiate contact and communication with other people in the organization or the industry. Introduce yourself, ask questions, share ideas, offer help, or seek advice. Show interest, enthusiasm, and curiosity.
- Attend events or activities that involve other people in the organization or the industry. For example, you can attend meetings, presentations, workshops, socials, or networking sessions that are related to your field or industry.
- Expand your network or your presence online. For example, you can update you LinkedIn profile, portfolio, or blog that showcases your work or skills, or you can join or follow online platforms, channels, or influencers that are related to your field or industry.
4. You Are Working Less Than Part-Time Hours
One of the benefits of an internship is to help you gain practical experience and skills that will prepare you for your future career. However, some internships fail to provide you with enough time or opportunities to learn and practice what you need to know and do. Instead, they assign you to work less than part-time hours, which limits your exposure and involvement.
This is a red flag that your internship is not giving you enough value or benefit. It shows that your supervisor or employer does not have enough work or resources for you, or that they do not appreciate or utilize your potential. It also shows that your internship is not challenging or engaging.
What can you do about it?
- Communicate your expectations and goals with your supervisor or employer. Explain what you were promised and agreed to in terms of hours and workload, and ask for more hours or work that match your availability and interests.
- Seek out other sources of experience and skills within or outside the organization. For example, you can ask to work on different projects or tasks that interest you or relate to your career goals, or you can look for other internships, jobs, or volunteer opportunities that are related to your field or industry.
5. You Feel Unsafe or Uncomfortable in Your Work Environment
The most important benefit of an internship is to help you enjoy and appreciate your work and your career. However, some internships fail to provide you with a safe and comfortable work environment that respects and supports you. Instead, they expose you to unsafe or uncomfortable situations that threaten or harm your physical, mental, or emotional well-being.
This is a red flag that your internship is not worth your time or effort. It shows that your supervisor or employer does not value or protect your health or happiness, or that they do not follow or enforce the laws or policies that regulate the work environment. It also shows that your internship is not ethical or professional.
What can you do about it?
- Report any unsafe or uncomfortable situations to your supervisor or employer. Explain what happened, how it affected you, and what you expect them to do about it. If possible, provide evidence or witnesses to support your claim.
- Seek out other sources of help or protection within or outside the organization. For example, you can contact the human resources department, the legal department, the labor union, or the government agency that oversees the work environment or the industry.
- Leave the internship as soon as possible. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in your work environment, you have the right and the responsibility to leave the internship immediately. Don’t compromise your health or happiness for an internship that is not serving you. However, make sure that you leave the internship in a professional manner. Inform your supervisor or employer of your decision, and if possible, give them a notice period. Explain your reasons for leaving, and thank them for the opportunity.
Conclusion
Remember, your internship is not a permanent or a binding contract. You have the right and the responsibility to make the most of it, or to change it if it’s not working for you. Don’t let a bad internship ruin your summer or your career. Instead, use it as a learning experience, a challenge, and a stepping stone to your future success.
