Ambivalence – It’s normal in a new internship or job!

Have you started a new job or internship that you were excited about?  Are you starting to be less excited?  Maybe feeling disillusioned?  It wasn’t what you expected, maybe you don’t know how to do some things and that feels icky, maybe they don’t do things the way you think things should be done, they aren’t giving you enough to do, etc., etc.?

This is a totally normal part of the developmental process of entering a new position.  So don’t jump ship!  Just knowing that this is part of it should reassure you that these concerns will pass, and that as your supervisor gets to know you and what you are capable of, you will start to be given more substantial things to work on, you’ll start to have a greater understanding of why things are done they way they are done, and you will gain confidence in you abilities!

Your supervisor needs to figure out what your strengths are, so they know how to use those talents in the most effective way.  That is best for you and for the company, so let that play out for a while!  Keep working hard, showing up, getting to know your co-workers and checking in to see if they could use your help.  Manage your time well, be reliable, be a good communicator and have excellent workplace etiquette.  All of these will get you far, and will give your supervisor confidence that they can count on you to get the job done and done well.

Change – like a new job – can be challenging, but you’ve been through a lot of it over the past few years, and you know how to do change!  You are well positioned to succeed, so ride the wave of disillusionment you may be on, and you’ll be in smoother waters before you know it!  Need help navigating that?  We’re here all summer.  You can schedule appointments with us in Handshake and we’ll help you process your experience and figure out how to get the best outcome.

 

By Carol Sharick
Carol Sharick Director of Career and Professional Development for Undergraduates, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences