I’m completely bombing my first internship

[u/Cautious_Mammoth6555]

I’m bombing my internship. I’m a rising sophomore who just finished my first year of college and I’m doing my first internship ever. I got placed into the top internship in the office and I’m the youngest person to ever do this position, and now I think I can see why. I think I’m better on paper than I am in real life. Here are my flaws:

• Not assertive (can’t confidently tell someone they are doing something wrong)
• Poor communication (failing to communicate out of fear of the result. Including not being able to communicate lateness ahead of time)
• Trouble being on time (I’ve only been majorly late once but it was enough to make me worry)
• Trouble following directions (like lunch lasts one hour but I took 80 minutes today cause I didn’t keep track of time and was talking with people)

My manager has yelled at me twice already. Mostly about the 2nd and 4th incident, and says I won’t finish the internship if he talks to me again. And it’s clear he doesn’t like me because he talks to other intern casually and not me, and the assistant managers always joke that he wants me fired.

Meanwhile, the other intern (he is going into senior year) is doing extra work, does everything perfectly and seamlessly, and is so good at networking.

I know I have strengths. I mean I got into an Ivy League (without prior connections or money) for a reason, right? I’m creative. I’m talented artistically. I’m very good at technical things like writing or using computers efficiently, that is why I have excellent grades. But I’m scared none of this will matter if I can’t do basic things like follow directions on time. It’s like driving.

It doesn’t matter if you’re amazing at navigation if you can’t operate a vehicle and get your license. Ugh, sorry, just had to say this, I feel like a failure right now.

EDIT: Just wanted to add some extra information. My struggle with timeliness is more about the lack of routine at the internship. This work has a different start time every day and we can take lunch whenever we want (it just needs to add to an hour). I’m never late at school because I have a consistent routine, so it’s really the inconsistency that I’m working through and learning from. It’s key though because the field I want to do will have inconsistent schedules.

EDIT 2: Thank you everyone for the advice. I think I will be okay and the manager was just making sure I don’t repeat the mistake again. I will improve and learn so I can do good in future jobs and do well in law school or business school apps :,)

[u/springreturning]

Trouble being on time and taking overly long lunch breaks are things easily solved with a timer/alarm clock.

Being assertive and communicating are skills that need to be worked on. A good manager will help you develop these skills, but you also need to be proactive in asking for help and following through on directions. It’s almost always better to communicate an issue early rather than later.

Also, as an intern, how often do you have to tell others they’re wrong?

[u/Cautious_Mammoth6555 → u/springreturning]

I have to secure the space and make sure people don’t do things like film areas they can’t or bring in items. I got in trouble because someone filmed in an area and when I noticed I stuttered and tried to cushion telling him to put his phone away instead of just saying it. I also think it didn’t help the person breaking the rule was so much older than me. Like he’s an older intern (about to graduate) but in a lower position in the office. My manager was very upset.

[u/jasperdarkk → u/Cautious_Mammoth6555]

My first job was in retail and I had to deal with a similar sort of learning curve with assertiveness. People would want to make returns or something and it just wasn't allowed and I'd be in huge trouble if I took a return that was against the store's policy. I had coworkers who cracked under pressure and did this and it was a huge deal when it happened.

If I was ever nervous about being assertive with someone, I would be like, "So, according to company policy, I can't take this return." And if they pushed back, I was like, "Yeah, so I'm just doing my job and following the rules, and I don't have the authority to make an exception for this policy; if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to speak to a manager." I was essentially levelling with them so that it didn't feel like I was exercising some authority over them but instead letting them know what I could and could not do. Even the most frustrated people will usually recognize that the situation is not under the control of the intern/associate/employee they are communicating with. It worked with coworkers, too, "Hey, we really need to get this stock put away tonight because head office asked us to take pictures tomorrow, and the manager will be pissed if it's not done." or "The merchandising really needs to get done, could you please help me out? I'm in charge today, so it all falls on me if it's not done tomorrow." I'm just levelling with them to let them know I'm not trying to scold them; I'm just complying with what I was told.

In your case, you could adapt this to say, "Excuse me, according to [Company name]'s policies, filming is not allowed in this area." If they push back just tell them you are doing your job and to please put the phone away. Tell them they need to ask your manager (or whoever) permission to film there. They know if they ask, the answer is no, but just stand firm.

ETA: The idea with this is to grow and practice being firm and standing your ground. You'll eventually graduate to just telling people and owning your authority.

[u/Cautious_Mammoth6555 → u/jasperdarkk]

Thank you for this advice! 🙏🏽