#InternshipStruggles #FeelingOverwhelmed #CareerAdvice
Hey there, I really need to talk about something that’s been weighing heavily on my mind, and I’m hoping to find some support here. So, here’s the scoop:
I just wrapped up an internship at a well-known company last month, and I got the disappointing news that they won’t be extending a job offer to me. The call lasted less than a minute, and honestly, they didn’t provide any specific reasons—I can only assume it’s because my final performance review didn’t go well. To add to that, I made sure to jot down the feedback, hoping it would help me improve in the future. But instead, it just stuck with me like a sore thumb.
Now I’m grappling with some pretty ugly feelings of shame and guilt. It’s tough to think about how I’ll explain this to my parents and friends when they inevitably ask. I don’t want them to see me as a failure ⏳ and I really don’t want to add any worry to their plates. On top of that, my grades have taken a hit lately. I just got an email saying that if I don’t turn it around soon, I could be dismissed from the university! 😨
On the bright side, I did secure another internship that kicks off next month. However, I’ve heard rumors that the company has been laying off a lot of staff, and morale is at an all-time low. It makes me question what I’ve walked into, especially since I made some great friends there during my previous internship. 🤔
So, I’m sitting here feeling like a mess, and I really need some advice or encouragement. Maybe some of you have faced similar situations? Here’s a few things I thought might help:
- Talk it out: Share your feelings with close friends or family who can offer a listening ear. You might be surprised by how supportive they can be! 🗣️
- Focus on growth: Take time to reflect on feedback and think of actionable ways to improve. Transforming criticism into a learning opportunity can really boost your confidence. 📈
- Stay positive: Remember that one rejection doesn’t define your worth. You’ve got another internship lined up, which is a great opportunity to shine! 🌟
- Seek help: If your grades are slipping, don’t hesitate to reach out to academic advisors or mentors who can offer guidance. There’s no shame in asking for help! 🤝
How do you all handle setbacks in your career? I’d love to hear your stories or any tips you have. Let’s support each other through this! 🤗
Thanks for reading!
Sorry to hear you’re having a rough time mr foreskin.
1. A lot of the time performance is subjective. If you received objective feedback, it’s a good opportunity to work on any weaknesses.
2. Don’t let unrelated things hurt your schooling. It’s fine to be disappointed about not receiving a job offer, but having it impact other areas of your life is not beneficial.
Last, if you’re still in school you have a long career ahead of you. Past CEOs at Goldman Sachs originally got turned down for entry level jobs/internships at the same company! Where you start is often of little importance.
Don’t stress about it or take it personally.
It’s possible you are 99% of the way there and just need to make a few minor adjustments to the things that are important to your managers and stakeholders.
If you could go back in time and fix the issues that were in your review, could you? If you can imagine that, then simply avoid those behaviors in your next job and you will be fine.
In the working world certain things are very important to employers and other things are not important at all. Universities don’t know much about the working world and don’t prepare you well for those things. Just pay close attention and use the feedback. Ask for advice. You will likely have great performance reviews next time if you’re diligent.
So let’s start over. You have internships and are on your way to a degree which is better than most. All you have to do now is buckle down. Have you _really_ been giving 100% or do you prioritize friends and fun?
For one semester, give a true 100%. Put everything you have into your classes and your internship. You can do it but you have to give it your best effort.
If you do this and get your piece of paper, that’s all that matters. Don’t worry about your GPA, do everything you can to get the degree.
I agree with everything that’s already been said. Don’t take performance feedback personally, and don’t feel like you have to perform really well (whatever that means) at your internship. It’s great if you do, but the purpose of an internship is to learn. As long as you did that, your internship was successful, regardless of whether or not you got a return offer.
Have you checked what kind of mental health resources are available at your university? I struggled with similar feelings to what you describe in my last year of college, in my case because writing my thesis was a fucking soul sucking process, but I found that talking to a social worker really helped, and she connected me with a counselor who helped me a ton. It’s worth trying if you haven’t already.
I called my mom while crying in the bathroom when I didn’t get an internship return offer. Since then I’ve learned that it’s just luck of the draw and that there’s nothing embarrassing about not getting a return. Sometimes it’s as simple as lack of headcount. Now I’m a manager passing out my own return decisions.
Other companies will be more interested in you as you get closer to graduation and build more experience. This experience doesn’t dictate your future; you’re still in a growing field with a strong resume.
The one thing you can’t do is get dismissed from school. Talk to your counselor about taking a semester off; otherwise, I would drop the internship and focus on school. Also talk to a therapist or psychiatrist about whether anxiety medication is right for you; too much anxiety can prevent you from focusing on what you need to do right now, which is pass your classes.
Just something to think about:
Do you enjoy what you are studying? Did you enjoy your internship experience?
How you deal with failure is a skill. Figure out what you like, what are your strengths and weakness and take the best step for you. Everyone fails. It’s ok.
I just found this on a linkedin post earlier and had copied it to send it someone, I cannont find the post at the moment, if I do i’ll link it back here. But I think the message is helpful:
*When you get laid off you think your career is over. After you realize it was the greatest event to ever happen. That’s how I felt in 2019 when it happened to me. The day I got fired it felt like death. I cried many tears. It took 6 months of rejection after rejection. I felt like a failure. Like I couldn’t provide for my family or be a good husband. But then I got a new job. Within weeks I realized this job was 10x better than the last one. I had a boss I admired. My team was full of high performers. Customers wanted to work with me. My career wasn’t a tragedy. What happened was a reinvention. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you unlock your true potential. You’re not worthless because you got fired. Keep going.*
you already have another internship lined up