Every internship and co-op experience is different. Depending on the company in which you work, the nature of the work you do, and your unique blend of personality, interests, skills, and values, you will view your experience in different lights as the semester progresses.

 

According to Sweitzer and King (2004), many interns and co-op students progress through a series of stages as they gain experience in the workplace. Chances are, as you read through each of the descriptions, you will see yourself somewhere. Perhaps you have already moved into a feeling of competence (stage 4) or maybe you are still experiencing disillusionment (stage 2). Your rate of progress is dependent upon a number of factors: the amount of time each week you spend at the internship/co-op site, your level of experience in the world of work, your supervisor’s style, and your personality. Each stage has challenges and opportunities for growth, and while resolving one typically results in entering the next, occasional “backsliding” may occur. This is okay, and as long as you are continually learning, you ARE making progress.

 

Prior to the internship or co-op beginning, you may feel mixed emotions ranging from anxiety to euphoria and excitement. Most people are very excited about beginning their new position. You may be deciding which clothes to wear, and wondering about your co-workers. At the same time, you might be concerned about fitting in or your current skill level. Concerns about time management and other responsibilities may surface.

Strategies : Gather as much information about the internship / co-op as you can. Think about your own expectations and make sure they are realistic.

 

The first few weeks are often called the "honeymoon" phase. When life settles in and your position feels a little more routine, you may experience a feeling of disappointment in the setting, co-workers, supervisor, or your responsibilities. Or, maybe you thought this was the career path for you and found out that you do not enjoy the actual tasks. Perhaps the training process is taking longer than you would like, and you’re anxious to move on to the next task. These things can cause unexpected dissatisfaction with the experience. As a result, you may feel your morale sagging, frustration, anger, confusion, or even panic.

            Strategies : Sweitzer and King (2004) refer to the disillusionment stage as a “crisis of growth” and can be used as an opportunity to assess expectations. Acknowledge and clarify the issues you are experiencing. Talk with your faculty coordinator or post a message on the discussion board to see if others have felt this way. Realize that this stage is very common, and by acknowledging the issues, it may help you to get through them. Think back to when you first came to UCF. You might have gone through a period of adjustment; the disillusionment stage can be very similar.

 

 

“As issues raised in the Disillusionment stage are resolved, morale begins to rise, as does task accomplishment” (Sweitzer & King, 2004, p. 32). As a result, you may notice an increase in your confidence level, and begin to feel empowered in the workplace. During this stage, you will “confront” each of the issues in Stage 2, and work through them.

Strategies : Make sure you have a strong support system (friends, family, good relationship with faculty coordinator) as you grapple with the issues brought up by your internship / co-op. As you solve each dilemma, you will begin to feel more in control, and will experience a confidence boost from the knowledge that you can solve problems.

 

Once you understand the environment in which you work and deal with any false expectations, you can begin to focus on your tasks. During this stage, students often produce their best work and feel more like a part of the team. You will begin to feel less like a student and more like a professional, as your knowledge and skill grows. This is the stage that every intern looks forward to.

Strategies: If you are doing well, enjoy it! Keep learning from the people around you and continue to grow from the tasks you’re doing. However, Sweitzer and King (2004) point out that an increasing commitment to work may place pressure on other aspects of your life such as relationships or additional academic pursuits. Therefore, even though you may feel like your internship / co-op is going well, keep an eye out for time management issues and other personal challenges.

 

If this is an internship or your final semester in co-op, the experience will come to a close. As this happens, be prepared to feel a mix of emotions, not unlike stage one. A feeling of accomplishment may exist, or you may feel guilty for not having worked hard enough. You may be excited to return to school or for graduation, but you may be sad leaving your new friends.

Strategies: To avoid dealing with these conflicting feelings, you may find yourself complaining about the experience once again, which can result in a less than positive ending. The alternative, however, is to recognize the emotions and the complexity of the situation. Find a safe place to express your feelings (faculty coordinator, friends, family, the discussion board). As a result, you will continue to give your best work and feel good about the experience.

 

Reference:

Sweitzer, H. F. & King, M. A. (2004). The successful internship: Transformation and empowerment in experiential learning (2 nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning.