You might be feeling some uncertainty and stress leading up to your internship, but I’m here to tell you you’re not alone. In the time leading up to my internship at the Herald Sun I was filled with uncertainty on what the experience was going to be like and how I was going to do.
Would I mess this opportunity up?
At the time I messaged everyone I knew about their past internships, experiences and any stresses going in. Knowing how it turned out for them made my own fears smaller and more manageable. Our hope is that by reading three common internship anxieties and my advice on overcoming them your concerns will feel more manageable too. For me, like my friends and no doubt yourself, the internship turned out to be a valuable learning experience.
What do I do if I’m not ready for this internship?
Chances are if you’ve got this internship, you’re ready for it. While it’s understandable you’re anxious going into a whole new environment this is the thing you’ve been training for.
My internship was offered to me by my lecturer, she recommended me as being interested in applying my skills in a practical setting and it all came about from there. If you’re not sure where to start looking for your internship you could ask your lecturer or check out the available internships on GradConnection.
If your internship comes about in a similar way that’s already an outside vote of confidence. But you may have sourced your own internship, consider then the fact you’ve been accepted is proof enough. They wouldn’t have accepted you if you were a bad fit!
What can I do if I have nothing to do during my internship?
If you find yourself with nothing to do during your internship here are some suggestions to make yourself approachable or find opportunities to be given tasks.
Here’s a scene you’re going to become familiar with. You’re sitting at your desk, just finished a job and you’re waiting for your next one. Perhaps your supervisor has said they’ll let you know when there’s something to do. What should I do now?
When this happened to me early on I turned to my friends, the people I’d been asking about this internship for weeks at this point, to see if this was normal. One piece of advice was to keep taking initiative and chatting to people.
Chatting to people isn’t just small talk but is intended to make yourself known and friendly. Now people know who you are they might start thinking of you when relevant work comes up.
This process lead me to writing articles based on press releases, to picture stories, and transit articles. In my final feedback this was linked to making myself approachable and easy to work with.
Not only that but it’s a great networking opportunity. Those around you now are likely the same people you’ll be seeing when you’re hired in your chosen industry.
Don’t be hard on yourself though, speaking to other interns it seems normal to not put yourself out there at the beginning. Just starting is nerve-wracking enough!
How do I know if I’m doing the right thing?
In my experience a lot of the time you won’t know if you’re doing the right thing, but it’s important to go easy on yourself. You’ll be your own worst critic.
If you’re taking initiative in the environment and trying to put your best foot forward people will notice.
At the end of your internship consider asking your supervisor how you went, particularly if they had any feedback on your work. Internships are a learning opportunity in a practical setting, that kind of feedback will make what you’ve learned easier to implement.
Your internship experience is going to be dependent on you
An internship is an exciting, if nerve-wracking, opportunity. Many of us have felt anxiety doing something new, but hopefully now this shared experience will make that anxiety more manageable. You can learn more about internships on GradConnection plus why it’s important to overcome your anxieties for your career growth.
 | About The Author Sam is a Media and Communications (journalism) student at La Trobe University. He's been writing for various outlets since he was 16 and recently completed an internship at the Herald Sun. He's passionate about what makes people tick, from their interests to their motivations. |