4 answers
Angy
Student
Milan, Lombardy, Italy
14
Questions
Asked
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What is an internship doesn’t go well?
I am currently in high school and after I will try to land a Digital Marketing/Tech sales rep job remotely with a US company living in Europe. Now I’ve connected with 2 CEOs at two companies and they both offered me an unpaid internship. I am going to use that to put it on my resume on top of all the other things I’ve done to get finally a paid job. What happens if I perform bad at those companies? Could they actually jeopardise my chances of getting a paid job. Maybe the CEOs won’t tell any good to my future employee if they happened to connect? What if I look like I am lazy and I don’t perform well. One is a BDR job and the other is Content Manager/ Sales rep/ digital marketer.
To finish up. I have to say that I have no intention to work more than 20 hours a week for those since they’re unpaid.
Tell me if I really risk something with it. Or it will just look good on a resume
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4 answers
William Nwaogu
Construction, CAD and BIM
326
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
William’s Answer
Good communication clears the air.
Communicate to your employer for the unpaid internship of your time limitation if your reasons are valid. Value reasons could be that you pay for your bills, your have a family that you are caring for, your care for your sustenance and personal welfare, and request for a part-time option to enable you engage in other income earning opportunities to support yourself while in the internship program. You may provide visible evidences to your employer to convince them, that it is not because of laziness that you choose 20 hours of week per week.
Understanding employers may adjust your internship conditions or choose to pay you some money for support or at least made a good recommendation for you after you complete your internship.
Communicate to your employer for the unpaid internship of your time limitation if your reasons are valid. Value reasons could be that you pay for your bills, your have a family that you are caring for, your care for your sustenance and personal welfare, and request for a part-time option to enable you engage in other income earning opportunities to support yourself while in the internship program. You may provide visible evidences to your employer to convince them, that it is not because of laziness that you choose 20 hours of week per week.
Understanding employers may adjust your internship conditions or choose to pay you some money for support or at least made a good recommendation for you after you complete your internship.
Evin Nisan
Program/Operations Management
2
Answers
Forsyth, Missouri
Updated
Evin’s Answer
Hi Angy,
You got some great advice from Patrick and Jason and I see your comments to them - let me summarize my point of view for you and whoever else may be sharing your dilemma.
Internships are a great learning experience and an opportunity for you to "test the waters" to see if that career is really the right fit for you. There is always the risk of having a "bad boss," even in an internship, but this is something you will need to navigate through your career/life. When it comes to internships, especially for folks who are just out of high school, or just out of college, there is going to be an expectation from you that is different than a full-time employee. You are there to learn, build your experience, contribute to a company's success, build your network (one of, if not THE most important, things you can do), and to show other companies that you can do the work.
When it comes to balancing your work and life (whether you work 20 hours, more, or less for this internship), it is important to understand the expectations from your employer going into it. If you are unable to work more than 20 hours, you don't need to say that it is because it is an unpaid position; you can simply say "I have up to 20 hours a week that I can commit to this internship." If that fits their needs, then you will have no problem. If they are wanting more than that, you can weigh that ask with what you are comfortable with.
Regarding your concerns about not having a position after the internship and the angry/micromanaging person - not all internships are going to be paid positions. Many of them are going to be unpaid. The reason for this is as Patrick stated - you are gaining valuable experience in the field. The importance of this cannot be overstated - it's super important! If you are worried about the kind of boss that you will have, or have reservations due to some past interactions, this is something you also need to consider. Is this someone you want to work for? Are you going to be in a good and healthy work environment? Most of our decisions in life can be boiled down to pros and cons and we need to weigh for ourselves if the benefits outweigh the costs.
I think you are asking the right questions and sharing the right concerns but ultimately it is up to you to decide how you want to move forward. I think it's always worth the effort to give it a shot - you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take. I wouldn't think that a bad experience at an internship would negatively impact your prospects but if it is something that is making you really uncomfortable, it is definitely something to consider as you weigh your decision.
You got some great advice from Patrick and Jason and I see your comments to them - let me summarize my point of view for you and whoever else may be sharing your dilemma.
Internships are a great learning experience and an opportunity for you to "test the waters" to see if that career is really the right fit for you. There is always the risk of having a "bad boss," even in an internship, but this is something you will need to navigate through your career/life. When it comes to internships, especially for folks who are just out of high school, or just out of college, there is going to be an expectation from you that is different than a full-time employee. You are there to learn, build your experience, contribute to a company's success, build your network (one of, if not THE most important, things you can do), and to show other companies that you can do the work.
When it comes to balancing your work and life (whether you work 20 hours, more, or less for this internship), it is important to understand the expectations from your employer going into it. If you are unable to work more than 20 hours, you don't need to say that it is because it is an unpaid position; you can simply say "I have up to 20 hours a week that I can commit to this internship." If that fits their needs, then you will have no problem. If they are wanting more than that, you can weigh that ask with what you are comfortable with.
Regarding your concerns about not having a position after the internship and the angry/micromanaging person - not all internships are going to be paid positions. Many of them are going to be unpaid. The reason for this is as Patrick stated - you are gaining valuable experience in the field. The importance of this cannot be overstated - it's super important! If you are worried about the kind of boss that you will have, or have reservations due to some past interactions, this is something you also need to consider. Is this someone you want to work for? Are you going to be in a good and healthy work environment? Most of our decisions in life can be boiled down to pros and cons and we need to weigh for ourselves if the benefits outweigh the costs.
I think you are asking the right questions and sharing the right concerns but ultimately it is up to you to decide how you want to move forward. I think it's always worth the effort to give it a shot - you miss 100% of the shots that you don't take. I wouldn't think that a bad experience at an internship would negatively impact your prospects but if it is something that is making you really uncomfortable, it is definitely something to consider as you weigh your decision.
Yes, well I am sure that I won’t work on that startup again after. I just fear that maybe the future employer will try to connect with the founder of that startup and give a bad feedback about me and give a employer a bad image of me. Hurting my chances of getting another job
Angy
In your professional career, like in life, there will always be actions, decisions, and requests that carry risk. Our job is to do our best to analyze that risk and determine if the risk is worth the benefit. For a decision like this, the only person who can answer that is you. I would consider weighing all of the options, benefits, and risks as you start into your career. Get advice from friends, family, maybe a former schoolmate who had a similar experience. It never hurts to get another person's opinion but at the end of the day the only one who can truly make the decision is you! :)
Hope that helps!
Evin Nisan
Oh ok thanks, but would you say there is a actual risk of them(future company for paid position) connecting with the founder I am working on and him telling them that I was not a good person to work with? In your opinion could that be a threat?
Angy
So, I can't speak for Italy - in the US the extent of a reference is generally going to be limited to "did this person work/intern for you during this time period? Yes/No"
Here, you do not give qualitative feedback because it can open you up to liability - for example ... what if you list me as a reference and I make up some horrible things about you that aren't true?
I can see how invested you are and if you are truly worried, I would look up some of your local employment/labor laws around the topic! I don't personally think someone would do that, but again I can't tell you with absolute certainty in one direction or the other.
Evin Nisan
Well I’ll target US companies and get a job with them. So I just wanted to know if US employers used to do this often. Apparently the don’t so great. That was my concern
Angy
Maybe I’ll be able to get a recommendation letter from the two founders I connected with to improve my chances
Angy
There you go! We call that an action plan! You are off to a great start :)
Evin Nisan
Patrick Meyer
Executive - Data Analytics and AI
1007
Answers
Naperville, Illinois
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
Angy, please understand that it is understandable to be concerned about how an internship, particularly one that’s unpaid, might impact your future career prospects. The fact that you've already made connections with CEOs and have opportunities to gain hands-on experience in digital marketing and tech sales is a great step in the right direction, but how you perform during these internships can definitely influence your future job prospects.
Angy, first, it's important to recognize that internships, even unpaid ones, are a valuable learning experience. They provide an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, build professional relationships, and demonstrate your work ethic and skills. However, if the internship doesn't go well—whether due to lack of effort, poor performance, or failure to meet expectations—it could indeed harm your chances of securing a paid role down the line. Even though the internship is unpaid, CEOs and others within the company are still observing your behavior, work quality, and commitment. In the future, if a potential employer connects with these individuals for a reference, negative feedback could reflect poorly on you, potentially jeopardizing future job opportunities.
One key point to remember is that while unpaid internships can be a great addition to your resume, they also serve as an assessment of your abilities and professionalism. Employers look for traits like initiative, responsibility, and a proactive attitude. If you come across as lazy or uncommitted, it could overshadow the positive aspects of your resume and hurt your credibility. This is especially true in fields like digital marketing and tech sales, where performance and results are highly valued. Showing up consistently, communicating effectively, and demonstrating a strong work ethic—regardless of the hours or pay—will always work in your favor.
If you’re worried about balancing a 20-hour workweek and still giving your best performance, it’s essential to manage your time and set realistic expectations for both your internships. You can use tools like Trello - www.trello.com or Asana - www.asana.com to stay organized and track tasks. Being transparent with the CEOs about your availability and willingness to contribute to their businesses will help you set boundaries early on and manage expectations.
It’s also worth noting that unpaid internships can still open doors, especially when you're in high school and looking to gain experience. While you don’t have to overwork yourself, maintaining a high level of professionalism, showing initiative, and being dedicated to completing assigned tasks will set you up for success. Even if the internships are unpaid, you’re still gaining valuable skills and making connections that could pay off in the long run.
To avoid risk and maximize the opportunity, consider treating these internships as a chance to not only add to your resume but also to build your professional reputation. Be clear about your goals, stay committed to improving your skills, and seek feedback regularly. If you perform well, you can potentially leverage these experiences in your next job search, making you a stronger candidate for future paid positions.
Ultimately, Angy, the risk of this experience hurting you is relatively low if you maintain professionalism and work diligently. A well-rounded approach, where you balance time management and dedication, can make your unpaid internships a solid stepping stone toward a successful career in digital marketing or tech sales.
Angy, first, it's important to recognize that internships, even unpaid ones, are a valuable learning experience. They provide an opportunity to gain practical knowledge, build professional relationships, and demonstrate your work ethic and skills. However, if the internship doesn't go well—whether due to lack of effort, poor performance, or failure to meet expectations—it could indeed harm your chances of securing a paid role down the line. Even though the internship is unpaid, CEOs and others within the company are still observing your behavior, work quality, and commitment. In the future, if a potential employer connects with these individuals for a reference, negative feedback could reflect poorly on you, potentially jeopardizing future job opportunities.
One key point to remember is that while unpaid internships can be a great addition to your resume, they also serve as an assessment of your abilities and professionalism. Employers look for traits like initiative, responsibility, and a proactive attitude. If you come across as lazy or uncommitted, it could overshadow the positive aspects of your resume and hurt your credibility. This is especially true in fields like digital marketing and tech sales, where performance and results are highly valued. Showing up consistently, communicating effectively, and demonstrating a strong work ethic—regardless of the hours or pay—will always work in your favor.
If you’re worried about balancing a 20-hour workweek and still giving your best performance, it’s essential to manage your time and set realistic expectations for both your internships. You can use tools like Trello - www.trello.com or Asana - www.asana.com to stay organized and track tasks. Being transparent with the CEOs about your availability and willingness to contribute to their businesses will help you set boundaries early on and manage expectations.
It’s also worth noting that unpaid internships can still open doors, especially when you're in high school and looking to gain experience. While you don’t have to overwork yourself, maintaining a high level of professionalism, showing initiative, and being dedicated to completing assigned tasks will set you up for success. Even if the internships are unpaid, you’re still gaining valuable skills and making connections that could pay off in the long run.
To avoid risk and maximize the opportunity, consider treating these internships as a chance to not only add to your resume but also to build your professional reputation. Be clear about your goals, stay committed to improving your skills, and seek feedback regularly. If you perform well, you can potentially leverage these experiences in your next job search, making you a stronger candidate for future paid positions.
Ultimately, Angy, the risk of this experience hurting you is relatively low if you maintain professionalism and work diligently. A well-rounded approach, where you balance time management and dedication, can make your unpaid internships a solid stepping stone toward a successful career in digital marketing or tech sales.
Ok, so I believe that one of the two founders that I am working with is a pretty angry and micromanaged person. Is there really a risk that I could end up trying to get a job and then the future employer connects with the. CEO and starts talking bad about me. Is there really this type of risk? I am not interested in working at those two start up as they won’t give a paid postion
Angy
Jason White
Lead Product Manager- Network Security
138
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hey Angy,
Generally speaking internships are to help you gain experience and the potential for the company to do a dry run and see if you would be a good candidate for a full time role. I wouldn't think that you would have some sort of negative association with the companies should things not go the way you wanted. They just likely wouldn't extend a return offer to you. But that shouldn't hurt you for other places you are applying to, from an internship at least.
Generally speaking internships are to help you gain experience and the potential for the company to do a dry run and see if you would be a good candidate for a full time role. I wouldn't think that you would have some sort of negative association with the companies should things not go the way you wanted. They just likely wouldn't extend a return offer to you. But that shouldn't hurt you for other places you are applying to, from an internship at least.
Even since they won’t take me full time since they’re a startup and don’t have the budget
Angy