Savis Posted February 2, 2009 Posted February 2, 2009 Hi, I don't really have many outlets with which to communicate my concerns, so I thought posting on a board like this may help me get into the right frame of mind. Sorry for the length of the post. I am 26, I recently graduated from University (I went into Uni as mature age entry, I wanted to try and better my life). I was thrown into the real world in an attempt to gain employment in my chosen field. I attempted to find work unsuccessfully for around 2 months, then I was offered to do a paid internship at a company for 6 months. I accepted to do it because I was demoralized trying find a graduate level job and it seemed like a good opportunity. Of course this meant that I had to re-enroll in another similar Uni course while I was undertaking the internship. I was cautious of this particular internship because I knew it was a small company (that relied on hiring experienced professionals). Also that I would be the only intern at the company. But I decided I had to do this, and that I could not be picky at such an opportunity. I had my first day at the company today and they do seem like nice people, but I started to become very overwhelmed. They introduced me to the projects the company was working on, showed me to a terminal, and started to assign me programming tasks on one of the projects. Although the tasks seemed small, I felt slightly incapable all of a sudden, due to the fact that I was still trying to take in the information of what the project was about and where everything is located / setup. Also much of what they work with is new to me, and would require time to learn properly. I just had the feeling that they assumed I was up to speed with everything that I needed to do, and I got very anxious. Although they said that I was able to "ask anyone if I had any questions", and I didn't expect anyone to hold my hand, I had the feeling (vibe) that every time I got up and trekked over to ask a question I was disturbing their work and patience. I spend most of the day installing the required tools on the computer (also with some problems), as the terminal was not set up to do any work on. So my concerns about the programming tasks required of me will continue to make me worried. I would hate feeling like I wasn't doing anything to help. I guess the purpose of this post was to ask what happens if I cannot do the tasks they ask of me? Would I be asked to stop the internship? I know that I am capable in the areas I am good at, but I'm starting to feel like I made a mistake in doing this. I would really like some advice/criticism/knowledge.
manchvegasgal Posted February 7, 2009 Posted February 7, 2009 I can relate. On any first day of work...actually on any and every first day I want to quit. I don't quit but I want to. I feel inadequate and overwhelmed and like I "should" know certain things. First, this sounds like a really amazing internship and I'm sure they had a lot of candidates...but they picked YOU. I recall searching for internship and offering my first born child and a kidney to get a good one so don't down play the fact that you made it. Second, what better an opportunity to ask questions than when you're an intern. Your purpose there is to learn..oh and fetch coffee and be cheap labor . I mean the very fact that your title is intern entitles if not requires that you ask questions. And as somone currently working with an intern under me there is NOTHING worse than an intern who thinks they know it all and gets insulted when offered advice or criticism and then screws it all up anyway. I really really appreciate the interns who come up and say "I want to do a good job on this so can I just run through my next steps with you." I may not be able to help them right away but i don't forget that they came to me, and it will save us both time in the long run. So don't give up, hang in there just a little while longer and it will all smooth out. Just from what you said in your post it's obvious that you have a strong work ethic, you're responsible and hard working. I have no doubt that you have been studying and reading and pushing yourself to answer your own questions. Guess what? THAT is what makes a good intern, not having all the answers. All the best
b-d Posted February 28, 2009 Posted February 28, 2009 Hello there, Well first day at any work is overwhelming, but hang in there, dont be afraid to ask questions, ask them as many times as you have to before you begin the given job, make sure you understand well what is asked of you, take notes of instructions and go from there. When i went to my work for the first time i was overwhelmed too, made me think if i am ever gonna be able to do this kind of work... i am a legal assistant in a firm that has 95 lawyers and 5 associates it was crazy, but i always took notes.. they bring me file at the desk and tell me what to do with it and i just sit there stare at them not having any idea what they just said, so i always asked, i made sure i knew what to do before i begin working on a file, there is no room for mistakes so ask before you start , they will rather have you ask and do your job properly , than not ask and mess up and its gonna cost them more to fix it after you. All the best!
TwinkletOes26 Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 Thats what i was gonna say is ask if you dont understand something. Its not like youve worked there before so they expect you to have questions and concerns .
Green Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 When I graduated from college I went to this open house with a really large corporation and they wanted people with computer degrees So I told them I had a degree in computers which was half true I did get a certificate in computers a few years before I graduated but my degree wasn't... well needless to say the job was hard I felt overwhelmed like I wanted to quit but I just said whats the worst that can happen they will try to fire me and I will fight it. I made it a game to get better at the work spent 60plus hours working the first few weeks on the job and before I knew it I was just as good as anyone if not better... I really felt like quiting and it was so embarasing getting out of my seat and looking for help and some people were rude and didn't want to help but they were my favorite people to ask for help because I enjoyed pissing them off I tried not to ask the friendly people for help as much because i liked them. And after a month it really started to get easy and I was good and the computer program and reports I was using became like the matrix easy for me to read and use.
TwinkletOes26 Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 When I graduated from college I went to this open house with a really large corporation and they wanted people with computer degrees So I told them I had a degree in computers which was half true I did get a certificate in computers a few years before I graduated but my degree wasn't... well needless to say the job was hard I felt overwhelmed like I wanted to quit but I just said whats the worst that can happen they will try to fire me and I will fight it. I made it a game to get better at the work spent 60plus hours working the first few weeks on the job and before I knew it I was just as good as anyone if not better... I really felt like quiting and it was so embarasing getting out of my seat and looking for help and some people were rude and didn't want to help but they were my favorite people to ask for help because I enjoyed pissing them off I tried not to ask the friendly people for help as much because i liked them. And after a month it really started to get easy and I was good and the computer program and reports I was using became like the matrix easy for me to read and use. Wow @ rude people hmmm did they not remember when they were in your position?
Green Posted March 1, 2009 Posted March 1, 2009 Wow @ rude people hmmm did they not remember when they were in your position? seriosly who knows I've encountered rude people every where I go lucily I have met some really great people so it offsets it. And some times you warm up to the rude pple
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