Best of: Gen Z internship race - Fear of missing out or path to success?
Dec 15, 2024
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Toh Yan Yun is a third-year NTU student and intern on the podcast team, specializing in journalism and editorial roles. She discusses the intense pressure Gen Z faces to secure multiple internships, sharing experiences that blend hustle with humor. The conversation reveals a shift towards valuing real-world experience over traditional education and highlights the emotional toll of internship anxiety. Toh emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and the need for a supportive environment in shaping a fulfilling internship journey.
The pressure to secure multiple internships highlights a shift in student priorities where work experience is valued over academic achievement.
Internships provide crucial real-world experience and networking opportunities, but can also lead to anxiety and feelings of inadequacy among students.
Deep dives
The Value of Internships
Multiple internships can provide a competitive edge in the job market, as potential employers often favor candidates with extensive experience. The pressure to accumulate several internships stems from a fear of not measuring up to peers who have equal academic qualifications. While internships serve as valuable learning opportunities, the increasing trend of interns seeking numerous placements reflects a shift in how students perceive success and employability. This notion raises concerns about the mental health implications, as the drive to constantly outperform can lead to an unhealthy sense of inadequacy.
Experiences and Learnings from Internships
Internships are critical for gaining real-world experience and building confidence in one's career path. Many guests shared varied experiences, where some made life-changing connections and secured job offers while others learned hard lessons from mistakes. The opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects, like specific discussions or prominent events, often leaves a lasting impression. Moreover, the journey through different roles can clarify what individuals enjoy and their preferred working environments.
The Pressure of Competition
The competitive nature of securing internships has led students to prioritize work experience over their academic studies. Some students now schedule their classes around internship commitments, illustrating the shift in focus where GPA takes a backseat to hands-on experience. This shift can foster an environment of anxiety, creating an 'arms race' mentality, where students feel the need to continuously improve their résumés at the expense of their overall university experience. In this climate, students may overlook the value of a few meaningful internships over many lesser experiences.
Navigating the Workplace as an Intern
Interns often face challenges in adapting to the professional environment, including managing expectations and navigating workplace relationships. Employers value interns who take initiative, show curiosity, and are willing to learn, yet many interns struggle with asserting themselves in unfamiliar roles. Misalignment in expectations can lead to unease, as interns sometimes find themselves unprepared for the demands placed upon them, particularly when asked to take on tasks without proper training. Encouraging an open dialogue about responsibilities and seeking clarity on tasks can help interns transition more smoothly into the working world.
There is a growing trend of university students juggling multiple internships, even taking time off school to get valuable experience and a foot in the door of industries. Undergraduates Syauqina Amalyn and Toh Yan Yun explain their hustle mentality.