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22, struggling with internship, afraid of the boss, endless fear, what to do?

graduate program internship experience workplace conflict supervisor criticism mental health issues
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22, struggling with internship, afraid of the boss, endless fear, what to do? By Anonymous | Published on December 18, 2024

After being admitted to a graduate program, my life became too idle, so idle that I often daydreamed. To keep myself busy, I found an internship. In the first month of my internship, I really enjoyed it. The tasks assigned to me were manageable, and my boss and I got along well; she thought I was hardworking and outstanding.

However, the tasks given to me became increasingly difficult afterward, and I had no mentor to guide me, having to figure everything out on my own. At the same time, another intern, who was more talented than me, joined the team, making me feel inadequate in comparison. I was criticized by two supervisors repeatedly, and I could clearly sense that they had developed a prejudice against me. They would constantly harp on my mistakes, be very impolite in their words, and directly interrupt my speech or challenge me with disrespectful tones. I have always been humble and polite, but this did not earn them understanding or tolerance.

Now, both my physical and mental health are in trouble. I had mentioned to a close friend that I was about to take on a certain task, and suddenly, I began to repeatedly doubt whether I had leaked business secrets (which was actually not the case). I even became too afraid to go to work and developed infinite fear towards my boss. What should I do now?

Cecelia Knight Cecelia Knight A total of 3784 people have been helped

Hello, host. I'm confident my answer will be helpful.

You are a hardworking and motivated child. Don't be too demanding on yourself. Learn to understand yourself and accept your shortcomings so you can continue to improve and grow with a better attitude.

I advise you to:

Accept and understand yourself.

You've just started your internship,

You're right. Your boss is giving you increasingly challenging tasks and there's no one to teach you, so you have to figure it out on your own. This is tough, but you can do it. The tasks are beyond your current capabilities, but you can learn and grow.

We must find a way to solve the problem and identify our shortcomings. We also need to communicate with our leaders and express our feelings and thoughts, which is essential for better work.

Don't blame or attack yourself. You've already done your best. Every difficulty is an opportunity for growth. It's here to tell you where you need to learn and improve. Overcome difficulties again and again and break through yourself to progress and develop.

Don't compare yourself to others. You're unique. She might be better than you in some ways, but you're also very good at many things. See the good in others and in yourself. If you envy her, it means you want that quality too. Focus on yourself, work hard, and get that quality. You'll be satisfied with yourself.

You can and should communicate with your leader using non-violent communication.

The purpose of communication is to get to know each other better, understand each other, and promote the development of the relationship. It is not about proving who is right and who is wrong.

We must communicate deeply in relationships, express each other's needs and feelings in a timely manner, and establish a deeper emotional connection and emotional exchange. Nonviolent communication is the way forward. The steps are: state the objective facts, express your feelings, express your needs, and request the other person's actions.

Note: When stating facts, be objective, not critical or accusatory. Express needs and feelings that are truly your own. Requests for action must be specific, and the more specific the better, so that the other person knows exactly what to do.

Tell your leader, "Leader, today when I was... you said that I... I felt uncomfortable, aggrieved, sad, and self-blame. These tasks are stressful, and I'm worried I won't do them well. I need your understanding and support. Give me specific guidance on what to do. What do I need to do every day?"

Invite them to talk about their feelings and thoughts. This kind of communication will help you understand each other better and create a deeper connection. You may also discover that your leader is not dissatisfied with you and that we have misunderstood.

Believe in yourself and give yourself positive mental suggestions often.

The Pygmalion effect is clear: you get what you expect. You don't get what you want, but what you expect.

Expect with confidence and believe that things will go well. They will. Conversely, if you believe that things are constantly being obstructed, they will be.

It is crucial to recognize the significance of positive beliefs. When we embrace a positive mindset, maintain confidence, and consistently anticipate favorable outcomes, it becomes a pivotal factor.

Positive beliefs lead to positive behavior, which often leads to positive results.

Expect yourself to become what you want to be. Work hard in that direction. You will become that expected self. Don't think you can't do it. Don't think you can't achieve it. You will remain stagnant if you do.

Therefore, tell yourself: I was accepted for an internship by the company, I am accepted by the company and everyone, I can also create a lot of value for the company, and everything is fine for me in the company.

You've got this! Best of luck!

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Penelope Jane White Penelope Jane White A total of 9180 people have been helped

Greetings.

Upon reading your question, I am compelled to extend a gesture of empathy and support. I am also motivated to engage in a discourse on the subject of self-acceptance in the face of rejection and the importance of politely declining unkind requests from others.

It is important to establish clear boundaries and to recognise that work is only one aspect of life.

It is important to note that the rejection and disapproval expressed by the individual in question are not directed at the person themselves, but rather at specific actions or behaviors. It is possible that the rejection and disapproval are not intentional, but rather a result of various factors, including the impact of the pandemic, marital relationships, and interpersonal pressures. These factors may contribute to a lack of effective outlets for expressing anger, which could potentially lead to the expression of rejection and disapproval.

I must speak with you, the new intern. You should clearly inform him that his actions have escalated to the point of personal attacks. It is evident that you are being disrespected and singled out. Should this continue next week, you will be dismissed from the position.

If one perceives a negative atmosphere within a team, it is often a reflection of internal issues, rather than external factors. It is not uncommon for individuals to attempt to resolve these issues by targeting a perceived weak link. However, this approach may not be the most effective. There are numerous other potential avenues for professional growth and advancement, including opportunities in convenience stores or fast-food establishments.

Furthermore, one can enrich their life in a similar manner. When there are few people around, one can also engage in reading and study independently. It is crucial to prioritize happiness.

It is important to remember that only six months remain until graduation. It is essential to prioritize your own happiness, respect your own feelings, and be confident in your ability to navigate challenging situations.

It is important to learn how to distinguish between different issues when faced with unreasonable demands from others.

It is within their prerogative to request whatever they see fit, and they are at liberty to select the subject matter with which they wish to engage. Their proposition may be accepted, but there is also the possibility that it will be declined. Regardless of their actions, you are at liberty to act as you see fit.

One may choose to accept or decline the offer. The decision is ultimately dependent on one's personal preferences. If the opportunity does not align with one's aspirations, it is appropriate to express gratitude for the opportunity and explain that one's objective is to gain experience and that future employment in this industry is not a consideration. Given the confidential nature of the documents, it is understandable that one would prefer not to be involved.

I would like to express my gratitude.

Some books on how to decline requests from others

"Self-Boundaries" and "The Courage to Be Disliked," which are related to a sense of boundaries and a sense of boundaries, it must be acknowledged that no matter what one does in this world, no matter how one pleases, there will always be people who are dissatisfied, have opinions, or are angry with us. Therefore, the question arises as to how one can be happy in such circumstances. The answer lies in having the courage to be disliked.

It is my sincere hope that this response is of some assistance to you. I extend my warmest regards to you and to the world at large.

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Comments

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Marianne West A learned person's wisdom is a collage made up of fragments of knowledge from different sources.

I can relate to feeling overwhelmed and questioning your abilities in such a challenging environment. It's important to recognize your efforts and the progress you've made. Maybe it's time to seek support from someone outside, like a career counselor or a mentor who can offer guidance and perspective on how to handle this situation.

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Clio Jackson The unexamined life is not worth living.

It sounds like you're going through an incredibly tough time. Have you thought about speaking directly with your boss or HR about the difficulties you're facing? Expressing your concerns might help clear up misunderstandings and lead to a more supportive work environment.

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Dove Thomas If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.

Sometimes we need to step back and take care of ourselves before we can tackle external challenges. If you're feeling mentally and physically unwell, perhaps prioritizing your health by taking some time off could be beneficial. Once you're feeling better, you'll be in a stronger position to address these workplace issues.

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Alec Davis Time is a chariot that races forward without pause.

It's disheartening when hard work doesn't seem to be recognized. But remember, one job or internship doesn't define your worth or potential. If this experience is negatively impacting your wellbeing, it might be worth considering whether this is the right fit for you and exploring other opportunities that align better with your skills and values.

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Manuel Miller When we forgive, we are showing that we value love over vengeance.

Feeling inadequate because of another intern's talent can be tough, but try not to compare yourself to others. Focus on your own growth and what you bring to the table. Sometimes our perceived shortcomings can actually be unique strengths that just need time to develop.

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