Gen Zs reflect on their internship blues

ONE of the much-awaited parts of college life is doing an internship, the transitional period between academics and the professional world.

While there is the feeling of excitement over finally taking a step toward their desired career paths, student interns are anxious about this new chapter of their lives. Take note that internships aren’t supposed to be easy—even working individuals can attest that the path to success is hardly ever a straight line.

If you are about to start your internship and you’re anxious about what to do, here are some tips from several Gen Zs about internship ventures.

Dealing with rejections

We used to see adults scurry around with brown envelopes dressed in their formal attires, and it got us thinking, “Were they excited? Scared? Panicky?” But one thing’s for sure, they have a dream to run after. 

Internships offer us a glimpse into the inevitable world where competence and experience are measured meticulously, which at times might not reach the standards of our desired careers. 

Ayessa Lei Trinidad, 23, experienced more than four rejections before settling with her dream company at Edsa Shangri La. She shared, “I felt dejected kasi baka hindi maganda [ang] resume ko and hindi ako katanggap-tanggap sa hotels na in-applyan ko.” 

Having been one of the people who didn’t receive any replies or contacts after sending numerous resumes to various companies, Trinidad also resorted to going on internship hunting—visiting, inquiring, and applying to companies personally. 

It is also during this time that students are racing to secure internship positions. Trinidad recounted, “Feel ko nahuhuli na ako that time kasi [ang] dami kong sinendan ng resume pero wala man lang kumo-contact [for employment]. In the end, two hotels lang nag-respond.”

Despite the mental pressure, she kept sending her resume to other hotels, proving that she’s not the type of person who easily gives up on a challenge. 

“Iiyak pero lalaban ulit,” she emphasized.

Her hard work paid off and she was able to secure an internship as a lobby ambassador at her dream company, Edsa Shangri-La in Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong.

“Although I realized na sa events management talaga yung gusto kong career, it was still a learning experience,” said Trinidad.

Adapting to an unfamiliar environment

Do you remember the times when you felt nauseous or fidgety over the thoughts of your first day as a university student? Time passed by quite quickly but not easily; you grew accustomed to university life, made irreplaceable friends, and improved your skills. 

But it is time to shake things up again–find a new environment, meet new people, do new tasks, yet a step closer to adulthood where you rarely feel a lasting sense of stability and must constantly face the highs and lows of changes. 

Geneveve Tondag, 21, a student intern at SELDA (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) shared, “I felt fear and anxiety that I might not perform the tasks assigned to us correctly. I also felt that I should come out of my comfort zone to adapt to my working environment because I knew this would be a path towards my future in law.”

While she coped with the uncertainties in her field by relying on her beliefs, Tondag underscores the feeling or the need to stand up for what is right and fight for it. Her coworkers shared the same belief and commitment as hers, making the once unfamiliar environment personally known. 

She continued, “School and the workplace are totally different. It is cliché and easy to say but I also realized that having really good communication skills was essential for understanding expectations, forming connections, and asking questions when I needed clarification.” 

For Tondag, “accepting diversity and opposing viewpoints” helped her enhance her experience and “promoted [her] development” both on a personal and professional level. That’s the best way to get along with your colleagues and superiors.

The pressure to do well or be recognized

When things are too easy, they deny us improvements. Interns are witnesses to the expertise showcased by their seniors at work, and as new souls, it’s normal to feel pressured to even walk alongside the “maestros.”

Playing it safe is not the norm in the professional field. Interns are driven to leave an impact or a reputation that serves as a testament to their competence. 

Student intern Joyce Ann Zulueta, 21, explained, “Being [a] part of an institution that caters to and is the home of professional writers, playwrights, and directors as a student, I somehow feel intimidated by how big these people are and how far they have already reached throughout their careers.”

She emphasized that the cause of her pressure and self-doubts came from the insights of her superiors about the quality of her work. Despite this, she knew that the criticisms and revisions were crucial elements to make her writing style and written works better. 

In coping with the pressure, Zulueta shared, “A writer told us, ‘Magsulat, Magmahal, Magpalaya.’ Writing is not just about self-expression or [the] mere impartation of ideas; rather, it is an arena of freedom. So I write [continuously] for me to have that sense of fulfillment [of] seeing my paper clean and ready to be submitted to the higher officials.”

Zulueta also shared her realization, “I often think of the grateful feeling of being under their supervision and mentoring. And as my supervisor always says, ‘Para sa panitikan, para sa bayan,’ I will write not for the sake of compliance but because I am capable of it, and it is my responsibility as a writer to use it for the greater cause.”

A misaligned career path with internship experience

At times, life really doesn’t go as planned and that’s okay. Unpredictability is life’s greatest element; one day you’re near the goal and the next, you’re in a slump. One thing’s certain, it’s still the same path towards your dream—it’s molding you for it. 

Student intern J. Reyes, 21, expressed, “I felt irrelevant as a literature major. During internship applications, companies either rejected or ghosted me. I often looked at my resume and doubted whether my skills or experience weren’t good enough—maybe they forgot about me because I wasn’t remarkable.”

Far from a literature-based field, the experience made her insecure at first but she soon became thankful for this different opportunity. 

In coming to terms with her struggles, Reyes said, “I still want to remain positive and see this journey as a way for me to grow. Working as an HR intern not only gave me a sense of comfort but also a break from my course as I experienced a fresh perspective and got to do different tasks.” 

Reyes also advised fellow interns to just enjoy the ride. It doesn’t always have to go as planned because sometimes life takes you on a journey that you don’t expect you’ll enjoy. 

She also left a comforting note for interns who are also on a different path from their dream, “At least you get to try new things, right?”

With reports from Rianna Mae B. Santiago