My Internship Didn't Want to Keep Me
Dear Nikki,
I started an internship about almost 3 years ago (that's how long my academic program was also). I've been doing well so far because my performance reports have been on par. I was hoping the agency would make me full time, but the center deputy director said that she didn't have a place for me. They gave me an end date I feel so disappointed and angry because I feel like I've put in so much work and dedication and I feel like they really threw me under the bus. I've accepted the decision the agency had made. I've even reached out to past bosses Right now I'm job searching and I can't help but feel so disappointed. I haven't looked for a job in a while and I can't shake the feeling off while job searching. What should I do?
Intern
Washington, DC, USA
Nikki:
Three years is a decent amount of time to invest in a career & build relationships and experiences with team members. I understand why you're disappointed and would probably feel the same way myself but don't allow those feelings to settle in for too long. At the end of the day, their decision to not bring you on permanently is about business and not about you or your performance.
These decisions to not make an intern into a permanent position have to do with analyzing headcount versus the overall workload to see if they can justify the expense of adding an additional body for compensation. In the big picture, it's less about you and more about justifying the expense of you. It's a business decision. It's not personal.
You mentioned getting thrown under the bus, so I'm not sure if something happened or if that is just a feeling because of their ultimate decision. But you have your positive performance reviews in tow to see if an old supervisor, manager or coworker will be a work reference for you. Use the relationships that you've built over the last three years and keep in touch. Continue to network with them as you continue in your journey. You never know when you may need to reach out for another opportunity OR if they'll reach out too you for something in the future as well.
Maximize the skills you've acquired on this assignment on your resume, contact a headhunter or even acquaintances you've made and start to network into your next career move. All is not lost. God doesn't make mistakes! What feels like disappointment could be a blessing in disguise. There are great things in store for you. It's time to take the training wheels off and soar!
You got this!
Nikki Davis
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NIKKI
Your curly girl manager, just trying to live her happiest life!
Wife, new mom, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. with 11 years industry experience, 6 years of management experience. Manager a team of men in a male dominant industry, while being the only woman on the team. DIY fashion blogger, a self taught seamstress. Owner/Creator of a monthly subscription service, SewConscious.com.
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