Navigating Your First Internship

So you've received your offer letter¶

After months of grueling applications and interviews (applying is a full-time job at this point), you have finally landed your first role. You've landed the offer, congratulations! But don't get comfortable. The real journey is just beginning.

No, that was only half the battle. Now it is time to shift your focus to hone those soft skills.

You have gotten this far because you deserve it, some may say you got lucky. It is a numbers game for those unfamiliar with the game.

Common Struggles¶

Imposter Syndrome¶

Some will experience the weird phenomenon known as impostor syndrome (the feeling of not belonging).

You may ask yourself-- Why me? Going through LinkedIn and seeing other successes, you may believe they deserve this more than you. The piece that you are missing is the big picture. Oftentimes, the soft skills showcase your potential, even if you don't notice it.

Note to self

Being great at your job is something you learn on the job. You will never be ready enough, but with a growth mindset, the sky is the limit.

The Unspoken Curriculum¶

Soft skills are harder to teach now, especially if you missed out on social-emotional learning (SEL) growing up, or never got honest feedback.

Don’t Get Intimidated by Titles¶

It’s easy to walk into a new role and feel like everyone around you has “Director,” “Manager,” or “Principal” in their title, and suddenly, you start shrinking. You assume they’re more intelligent, more capable, and maybe even unapproachable. That’s a trap.

Titles don’t always reflect how much someone actually knows or how kind they’ll be. Some of the smartest, most helpful people have the quietest titles, and some of the loudest titles belong to people still figuring it out, just like you.

Remember: Everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time (unless they’re in a Marvel movie). That VP you’re scared to message? They were once an intern too. You’re not bothering people by asking questions; you’re showing up, which is precisely what you're supposed to do.

Focus on how people communicate, support others, and solve problems, not what’s in their email signature. Respect the work, not just the role. And never let a fancy title stop you from contributing your voice, ideas, or questions. You belong in the room, not just as a spectator, but as a participant.

Pro Tip: If your company uses tools like Donut or hosts mini social events, take full advantage of them. These casual moments might feel low-stakes, but they are golden opportunities to build relationships. You never know; your next mentor, advocate, or collaborator could be just one donut meeting away.

Thrown in the Deep End¶

Adjusting to new technologies, tools, and workflows can be overwhelming, especially if you're new to the industry that you will be working in. With the rise of LLM usage in the workplace, you may be tempted to overuse that tool in your toolkit, but remember, AI is meant to enhance. If you are lost or unsure how to complete your task, ASK QUESTIONS. A lot of them are matters of fact. Your onboarding buddy needs you to ask those questions to steer you in the right direction.

High Expectations¶

Meeting the expectations of your supervisors, colleagues, and yourself can be daunting, especially if you're eager to prove yourself. You may find yourself flying too close to the sun. For example, being a first-generation professional meant I had a lot to prove to the world, but I've realized those inner voices are not authentic, and I am my worst critic. You may find yourself eager to prove yourself, but in the wrong environment, it may be a negative for you. If your team isn't familiar with immigrant parents' expectations for their kids, you might find yourself in a situation where you are misunderstood, so it is important to sync with your team and relax. Nobody expects you to be a rocket scientist unless that is your field, so please be the outstanding rocket scientist you can be.

Time Management¶

Balancing multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities can be difficult; the goal here is to realise as an intern that your priorities are to learn, if you are given more than you can handle, and voice that to your manager. You cannot be effective if you hate the place.

Feedback and Criticism¶

Receiving feedback and criticism on your work can be tough, especially if you're not used to it. You should be aware that feedback means someone cares; it takes time and energy to craft effective feedback, so you should respect that person's time and courage. Also, acknowledge that feedback is bi-directional, meaning you should also provide constructive criticism that is productive and, most importantly, actionable.

Hardships¶

So you've made it past the honeymoon phase. You're not starry-eyed anymore, just tired. Welcome to the real grind.

Long Hours¶

No one tells you that getting the job is just step one. The real test is staying afloat when the 9 to 5 becomes 8 to “I lost track of time." You'll find yourself sending Slack messages at 9 p.m., not because anyone asked, but because your brain won't shut off until that last bullet point is done. It's not sustainable, but it happens. Just make sure it's a sprint, not your whole race.

Tight Deadlines¶

Every task is urgent. Every request is a fire. You learn quickly how to prioritize, not because you read about it in a productivity book, but because you don't have a choice. This is where you build your internal compass, what actually needs to be done today, and what can wait. Anyone can move fast, but not everyone moves smart.

Limited Resources¶

You're working off a slow laptop, you can't access the one system you really need, and you're figuring out tools that were outdated when TikTok was still Musical.ly . Welcome to real-world problem-solving. Your job isn't just to get things done; it's to figure out how to get things done when the path is murky. That's a skill, a real one.

Team Dynamics¶

People are complicated. And now, you're in a group project where the stakes actually matter. There will be that one coworker who never replies, the one who talks over you in meetings, and the one who low-key undermines your work. You're learning to read the room, not just the task list. That's emotional labor, and nobody talks about it enough.

Self-Doubt¶

This one? It creeps in silently. After a long week, one missed detail or a poorly worded Slack message, suddenly you're spiraling. “Am I even good at this?" Let me stop you right there: you're growing. Growth is uncomfortable. Confidence isn't built in a vacuum; it's built in moments of discomfort when you choose not to quit.

Lessons Learned¶

Nobody teaches you this part; you learn it through trial, error, and occasional mental breakdowns between Zoom calls. But with each L comes a lesson. Here are some of mine:

Communication is Key¶

Say what you mean. Ask the awkward questions. Clarify the things that feel obvious. Silence isn't strength; clarity is. Don't wait for your team to read your mind. Over-communicate if you have to. Trust me, it saves you in the long run.

Ask for Help¶

You don't get extra credit for suffering in silence. Asking for help is not weakness,s it's self-awareness. Most of the time, someone has already solved the problem you're stuck on. All you have to do is ask. Nobody expects you to know everything. That's why you're here: to learn.

Prioritize Tasks¶

Everything feels important until you realize your brain can't do everything at once. Learn to say, "What's the most critical thing right now?" and let that guide your next move. If you're doing everything at 50%, nothing gets done well.

Take Breaks¶

Take. Your. Breaks. I used to think working nonstop made me look dedicated. All it did was make me resentful and tired. Even a 10-minute walk outside can reset your entire mindset. Protect your energy like it's your job because it is.

Reflect and Learn¶

Every mistake is a mirror. Don't look away. Ask yourself what you'd do differently next time. The biggest wins come from moments that didn't go your way. If you're not reflecting, you're just repeating.

Set Realistic Expectations¶

You're not a machine. You're allowed to make mistakes. You're allowed to have off days. Set expectations that leave room for your humanity. The goal isn't to be perfect, it's to be consistent and self-aware.

Build Relationships¶

Work is hard, but it's less complicated when you've got people in your corner. Build genuine relationships, not just transactional ones. Say good morning. Ask people how they're doing. A little effort builds trust, and trust makes everything else easier.

Stay Organized¶

Chaos on the outside = chaos on the inside. Use the tools Notion, Google Calendar, sticky notes, or whatever works. Don't try to keep it all in your head; your brain is not a hard drive. Organize your week before the week starts. You'll thank yourself on Wednesday when everything starts to pile up.

Be Proactive¶

Don't wait for someone to tap you on the shoulder and say, "Hey, fix this." If you notice something off, speak up. If you see a gap, fill it. Proactivity builds trust. It shows people that you're not just doing the job, you're thinking beyond it.

Seek Mentorship¶

Mentors are real-life shortcuts. Find someone who's done what you're trying to do. Ask questions. Take notes. Listen more than you talk. Mentors won't always give you the answer, but they'll help you ask better questions, and that's where the growth lives.

Network¶

Yes, it can feel awkward. Yes, small talk is exhausting. Do it anyway. Go to the event. Send the DM. Follow up. Every relationship you build now could turn into a door later. Networking isn't fake if you're real.

Stay Positive¶

This one's hard when you're tired and unsure, but mindset matters. You won't love every task. Some weeks will feel like losses. That's okay. Focus on what you are learning about the work, about the industry, about yourself. This season is preparing you for the next one.

You Got This!¶

Every decision must be methodical; it can make or break you. If the company you are interning at is a place where you can see yourself working one day, make the effort to blend in so well that people are surprised you're an intern instead of allowing your noobness to be shown. Look, there's no cheat code, but there are things that make the journey smoother. These are the tips I wish someone had told me, or at least yelled a little louder! Good luck out there.