Attack of the Summer Internship: when you know it’s time to leave

I have a little claim to fame.

By Jess

Well, let’s not kid ourselves—I have lots of claims to fame, some not fit for print—but this one has both made people shake their heads at my ridiculousness and saved me valuable time and energy. What is it? Why, my habit of working one day at a new internship and then promptly quitting.

Yes, it’s true. In fact, I just did it again two days ago.

And I’m glad.

It seems strange to work so hard for something, namely, a summer internship, and then leave after a day. But I’m here to tell you it’s not strange or lazy, provided you’re doing it for the right reasons.

I was pumped about this internship. It was with an organization I respected, was involved in exactly what I want to be involved in once grad school ends and the Loan Monster starts nipping at my heels, and the people connected seemed great. I was optimistic that the last summer internship of my life would truly make use of the talents I’ve been spending thousands of dollars to foster.

But alas, on the first day, it became clear that this was not to be. The morning started out with menial tasks, and the literary manager—someone I thought I’d be working for—hardly looked in my direction except to ask me to address an envelope for him (why the presence of interns make people forget how to do the simplest tasks, I’ll never know). Five hours into the day I was walking around New York, lugging huge packages across midtown and deciding just how and when I’d say goodbye.

But wait! You say, couldn’t that just have been a case of the First Days?

There’s a chance that’s what was going on, but my instincts weren’t convinced. I’ve interned for four years. I know the difference between a jumbled first day and a misrepresentation of obligations. Based on what I was told the rest of the week was going to be like, the slightly nervous look I got when I inquired about more literary type tasks, and the experience of the other interns around me, it seemed pretty obvious what my summer would like if I stayed. And I’ll be damned if I’ll be someone’s slave for no money—great organization or not.

While I think everyone who’s experiencing their first foray into the intern life should expect a good amount of menial work, the longer you’ve been around and the more experience you have, the less you should be willing to do something that bypasses your skills. If you feel underappreciated and have enough evidence to suspect things will continue that way, run out that door as fast as you can. In most cases, you’re not being paid for your work, and these places don’t own you, no matter how hard they try to make it seem that way.

Make sure to leave politely, but assuredly as well. Don’t let yourself be talked out of it—by anyone. You know what you feel. Trust that feminine instinct. It understands more than just who’s sure to be the biggest asshole in the bar.

If you’re talented and determined, there will always be another internship. A place that sees what you have to offer and is grateful for your help. Don’t waste your time at a place that blows.

I know I don’t.