Hate Your Internship? Here's What You Should Do

October 5, 2020 The Washington Center

The right internship can help you find your passions, develop your skills and build your professional network. The wrong internship, on the other hand, can lead to burnout and frustration.

If you think you hate your internship, here’s what you should do:

1.) Identify the Why

With any complication you run into, it’s important to get to the root of it. The same goes for if you are in a situation where you are not enjoying your internship. Start by asking yourself, Why am I not enjoying this internship?

There are various reasons why you might not be enjoying your internship. It can be the workload, the project type, the compensation, the list goes on and on. It can even be that you do enjoy the work that you are doing, but that you’re just not getting along well with your co-workers. It’s critical to not interpret a poor internship experience as an indicator that you are not skilled or passionate in a certain type of work and/or industry until you’ve clearly identified the why.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

What do I want to gain from an internship (experience, knowledge, skillset...etc.)?
What were my expectations going in? What are some ways this internship has been meeting my expectations? What are some ways this internship has not been meeting my expectations?
What am I learning? What am I not learning that I wish to be learning?
What are my relationships with my co-workers and/or supervisor(s) like?
What are some key things I would change about my internship? What are some key things I would keep?

It’s critical to not interpret a poor internship experience as an indicator that you are not skilled or passionate in a certain type of work and/or industry until you’ve clearly identified the why.

2.) Identify the Factors You Can Change

Once you’ve identified your whys, broaden your view and think about which of your whys can be changed and how they can be changed. If you’re not enjoying the project you're working on, consider grabbing a meeting time with your supervisor. Communicate your experience with honesty and respect, and ask if there are other projects you can take on or other projects you can at least sit in on — you only miss out on opportunities you don’t ask for. It’s critical to actively search for practical solutions for change. Know that your supervisors are there to help and support you!

3.) Leverage Your Network

If all else fails, look outside your internship and tap into the rich network of professionals and peers around you. Though you may not be enjoying the type of work you are doing, the people around you may be people who can offer skills and knowledge that go beyond the workplace. Continue to keep your professionalism and respect, and invest in those around you with the intent to build long-term relationships instead of transactions. And who knows, these may also be the people you come back to for other opportunities and secondary connections!

Conclusion:

Not everyone will have the “perfect” internship, and that’s okay. Whether your internship was exactly what you imagined or not, there is always an opportunity to see the glass as half full. Realizing that the work you’re doing is not something you enjoy is something learned, too. Regardless of which company, organization, or co-workers you’re with you can learn, grow, and build meaningful relationships.

About the Author

The Washington Center is the largest and most established student internship program in Washington, D.C. Since our founding, we've helped more than 60,000 individuals from across the U.S. and around the globe expand their academic pursuits into rewarding jobs and careers. We use our scale and expertise to deliver solutions that open career pathways for learners, solve recruitment challenges for employers, while helping create greater access, equity, advancement and representation.
Follow on Twitter Visit Website More Content by The Washington Center

5 Common (Remote) Workplace Challenges — and How to Address Them

Working remotely comes with perks — and challenges. Here’s how to navigate workplace conflict during your r...

32 Questions with Melissa Mesones Ortiz from Elizabethtown College

In the face of uncertainty and the new normal of remote work, we’re asking students in our Summer 2020 Virt...

Knowledge is Power Our favorite resources, stories and insights curated especially for you

Hate Your Internship? Here's What You Should Do

1.) Identify the Why

2.) Identify the Factors You Can Change

3.) Leverage Your Network

Conclusion:

About the Author

Previous Article

Next Article

Hate Your Internship? Here's What You Should Do

1.) Identify the Why

2.) Identify the Factors You Can Change

3.) Leverage Your Network

Conclusion:

About the Author

Previous Article

Next Article

Browse related content:

Dressing for work can be tricky, whether you’re in the office or working remotely. Use this guide to get familiar with your office dress code and build a work-ready wardrobe.

TWC students share how their virtual internships helped them gain valuable professional experience—all from the comfort of their homes.

Virtual networking is here to stay. Use these tips prepare to network over Zoom or over the phone so you can make the most of your conversations.

Working remotely comes with perks — and challenges. Here’s how to navigate workplace conflict during your remote internship.

In the face of uncertainty and the new normal of remote work, we’re asking students in our Summer 2020 Virtual Internship Program what’s inspiring them right now.

Summer 2020 has been a bit ... abnormal. But at The Washington Center, hundreds of students are refusing to let circumstances get the better of them and are hard at work as virtual interns.

In the face of uncertainty and the new normal of remote work, we’re asking students in our Summer 2020 Virtual Internship Program what’s inspiring them right now.

Use these tips to start your remote internship off strong, make a good impression and stay organized.

When Olivia Wieseler started her Washington, D.C. internship, she wasn't expecting to finish it from home. However, she learned a lot from the experience and shares some tips to help you prepare.

When Kelsey Ballard came to The Washington Center for the Spring 2020 semester, she wasn’t expecting a global pandemic would force her to return home early.

So, you want to network…now what? Before you jump right in, read these tips so you can be prepared to put your best foot forward.

This session discusses tips and tricks to best navigate the remote work world and develop strategies that work for you.

This guide introduces a variety of resources, ideas and mindsets you can utilize to manage launching a career in times of uncertainty.

Whenever you step into a new environment, it’s easy to slide into a pattern of self-doubt or imposter-syndrome.

Although your time in D.C. is short, burnout can set in quickly.

Spending an entire semester in Washington D.C. is a dream come true. Here’s what my journey to the nation’s capital was like and what I learned during my internship at an education nonprofit.

Interning for one of the largest federal agencies in the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, can be nerve-wracking. I knew that I had to be on my A-game.

Introverts, or those who get their energy by spending time alone, have always gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to expectations in the workplace.

Here’s how to identify and overcome the most difficult workplace conundrums.

Whether you’re a seasoned intern or just starting out, the first week at a new office can be challenging. Here’s your one-stop guide to surviving the first few days.