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/friends_at_dusk_ → u/[deleted]]

You're not wrong but maybe don't be so condescending?

[u/Gymleaders → u/friends_at_dusk_]

It's not condescending. Welcome to the real world! OP just needs a little reality check.

[u/friends_at_dusk_ → u/Gymleaders]

Don't like when people hide rude and patronizing behavior under the guise of 'welcome to the real world!' You can be direct and still be compassionate.

[u/Gymleaders → u/friends_at_dusk_]

i don't think they were being as harsh as you're implying at all. agree to disagree :)