Hello, question asker! I'm Jiang 61.
It's clear you've gained some useful insights since you started work. I get the impression you've chosen a career internship you're happy with, but you're not happy at work. I can see you're distressed, hesitant and reluctant.
I'm curious to know what's driving your internal motivation. After reading your work insights a second time, my initial impression changed.
The first time I looked at it, I thought you were dealing with two issues:
First, there's the confusion.
1. Figuring out how to blend your interests with your work environment
2. The confusion of integrating the individual and the group
2. Figure out what's confusing you.
After reading it again, I think what you need to do now is figure out what the problem is and then solve it.
1. The issue
1. How to view work
2. What are your priorities?
2. How to make a change (solutions)
The reason my opinion differs from the first time is that I looked at your description from your perspective and from a third-party perspective. Here's my analysis of the problems you face and the solutions from a third-party perspective.
1. The issues you're currently facing
1. How to view work
(1) Your subconscious mind thinks that your interests can help you do your job, but that's not actually the case.
You said, "I'm an arts student with a keen interest in natural sciences and I like the intellectual stimulation that science brings. Driven by my passion, I started an internship at a technology publisher, but I had mixed feelings during the internship."
Your subconscious mind thinks that interest is a good thing at work and can help you do your job. But that's not how it is. You can't fit in with the group, you're not taken seriously by your seniors, and there's a chance you'll be replaced.
So you're a bit contradictory.
2) Why you're feeling mixed up
You said, "First, I don't feel integrated into the team. I try my best to fit in, but there is always a clear division between interns and regular employees. For a long time, I was the only intern, and some regular employees gave me the impression that they would ignore you if you asked them a question."
You're in a bad mood because you think the company treats interns and regular employees differently and you complain about it. Plus, regular employees are indifferent when you ask them questions, which makes you feel uncomfortable and think you're not welcome.
You said that liberal arts students aren't as popular as those with a science background.
You've come to this conclusion because you said, "My colleagues are always talking about when they're going to recruit a science intern and train them as a talent pool."
The chats between colleagues have put a lot of pressure on you psychologically. You don't think you're good enough, so you're worried you'll be replaced.
There's also this unwelcome feeling that's making your mood pretty bad.
3. What is work?
Work is about achieving the desired outcome and getting a good result through your understanding, operation, communication, and collaboration with the tasks assigned to you.
Work involves a lot of different skills, like your cognitive abilities, comprehension, coordination, collaboration, communication, and execution. Being able to complete work is what makes you competent, while not completing work shows that you're not suitable for the job.
So, it's not enough to just link your interests with your work. Being competent at work also means excelling in other areas.
If you don't understand why your interests can't help you at work, you'll start to think that your interests are the only thing that matters. Once your beliefs are destroyed, negative emotions arise.
2. What are your main concerns?
When I see you struggling to connect your interests with your work, I want to understand why you're struggling and what you care about.
1. You care most about how other people see you, and that affects how you feel.
You feel like you can't fit in with the team because people don't pay much attention to you. You feel unappreciated.
So, it seems like what you really care about is how others treat you. It's because of other people's attitudes that you feel rejected and unable to integrate into the group.
2. You want to be seen, affirmed, and valued.
You say, "No matter how much I love and work hard at my job, I can't be seen. I understand the company's considerations, but over time, I've lost my enthusiasm for work."
Your interests and your work ethic have taken a hit. With no one else being seen or encouraged, you've lost interest in your favorite popular science books, including your interest in work. So, what you care about is being seen, affirmed, and valued.
3. How to adjust your mindset
Now that we've gone over the problems you're facing and why, I suggest:
1. Don't get too caught up in the idea that your work and your interests are one and the same.
Your interests are great, but they're not going to help you get better at your job. So, forget about trying to combine work and interests.
You need to think about how you can improve your work ability.
2. Get to know what the job needs and work on your skills to meet those needs.
When a colleague suggests recruiting a science and engineering student, it doesn't mean that you're not good enough at your job. It just means that your current level of knowledge can't meet the needs of science-popularization editing. So, you need to find a science and engineering professional to supplement your team.
This is the only way the editor can avoid the common problems.
You need to recognize your weaknesses at work and learn more about science and engineering so you can do the job well.
3. Stay true to yourself.
Don't let other people's attitudes get in the way of your goals. Stick with what you like, and believe that you'll do a good job and fulfill your wishes one day.
I hope the original poster is in a good mood!
Comments
I can totally relate to feeling out of place in an environment where you don't feel valued. It's heartbreaking when your passion meets such a cold response. The internship was supposed to be a learning experience, but it ended up dampening your spirit. I hope you find a community that apprecishes your love for both arts and sciences soon.
It sounds like the internship took a toll on your confidence and joy. Sometimes we pour our heart into something, only to hit walls we didn't expect. Remember, this is just one chapter, and there are places and people who will cherish your unique blend of skills and interests.
Your dedication to bridging arts and science is commendable. It must have been tough not being accepted or seen for what you bring to the table. Try to remind yourself of the reasons you fell in love with science in the first place; those memories can help you move past this rough patch.
The world needs more people like you who can connect different fields in creative ways. It's unfortunate that the publishing house couldn't see your value. Focus on nurturing your own interests again and seek out spaces where you're celebrated for who you are and what you offer.
Feeling dismissed and marginalized can really hurt, especially when it involves something you're passionate about. But try not to let this experience define your relationship with science. There are many other avenues where your talents and interests can flourish and be appreciated.