Dear Interns: You’re Not Behind–You’re Just Getting Started
Ok, real talk for a minute: starting your first real job after college is kind of like stepping onto a treadmill…pre-set to sprint…during a thunderstorm.
I get it, I was there once too.
This can be especially true when joining a hyper-growth industry (like tech or construction), where projects move fast, pivots happen weekly and the learning curve is as steep as it is exciting. For many of you, it is the first time you’ve traded in a flexible class schedule for a 9-to-5 (sometimes more like 7-to-6). So, let me be the first to warn you, no one will be handing out a syllabus or plan.
But here’s the good news: you’re not behind—you were actually built for this.
The Myth of Being “Workforce Ready”
Sure, college is great for learning how to think critically, write 20-page papers at 2am and maybe survive on vending machine dinners and almost no sleep. But did it fully prepare you for onboarding into a startup team, managing cross-functional projects or responding to messages with both clarity and diplomacy?
Not really.
In fact, 85% of recent grads wish their colleges had done more to prepare them for the realities of the workforce. And surprise, a whole lot of managers agree. But truth be told, those managers are missing something:
You, mainly Gen Z, are entering the workforce with a very different toolbelt.
You’re digital natives. You’ve learned how to teach yourselves through YouTube, ChatGPT and crowd-sourced trial-by-fire. You adapt fast. You challenge norms. You value purpose. And when used well, those qualities are exactly what companies in our industry (or any really) need right now.
What You Bring to the Table (That We Didn’t)
Let me be blunt: the workplace needs your perspective.
You question the way things have always been done. You want to know why a process exists before you follow it. You care about values and balance, not just titles and paychecks. You’re not afraid to try a new tool, challenge the status quo or suggest an improvement—even on Day 3.
When handled correctly that’s not arrogance. That’s initiative.
So don’t shrink from it. Own it. But—and this is absolutely vital—pair that boldness with patience.
Often what happens is interns (and some full-timers too) will show up to the new job asking themselves, “What does the company need from me?” But a better way to frame this question is, “What can I learn here that will shape who I’m becoming?”
It’s a mindset shift that changes everything in fast moving companies. Things will break. Priorities will shift. Your project might change three times before the month ends. That’s not failure—it’s real-world agility.
And whether you like it or not, career growth isn’t microwaveable. It takes time. And effort. And more than one awkward meeting. The fastest way to gain credibility is by showing up with curiosity, contributing where you can and asking smart questions when you can’t.
That’s how you go from “hey intern” to “we’d love to keep you around.”
Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor
However, there’s a balance to all this hustle and grind. And honestly, I wish someone had told me this early on myself:
Working yourself to complete exhaustion doesn’t prove anything.
We live in a world where 58% of Gen Z is already reporting burnout, so we can’t afford to glorify overwork. Pushing through lunch, staying online until midnight or answering messages while you’re brushing your teeth doesn’t make you a hero—it makes you a fire-cracker contributor with a high risk of fizzling out (or worse, exploding) at a rapid pace.
Again, to be blunt, you simply cannot help your team innovate if you’re constantly running on fumes. Trust me on this, consistent effort outperforms constant hustle.
So instead, build your own sustainability plan:
Take real breaks. (Yes, even as an intern.)
Ask for help before things get overwhelming.
Celebrate small wins—because they add up.
Log off. The job will be there tomorrow.
And if at all possible, find your tribe. The work will challenge you, but the people will carry you. Having even one close friend at work can make a huge difference—not just in morale, but in mental health (by up to 2x according to Gallup). So, join the lunch table, hop in on the banter or grab coffee with a teammate. Because thriving in your first career doesn’t just take effort. It takes community.
Remember You’re Not Alone
Every senior leader you meet started where you are. Overwhelmed. Excited. A little underprepared. And very much in progress.
Believe it or not, no one expects you to have all the answers. But we do expect you to ask great questions, to show up with purpose and to give your best without giving away your well-being.
So, here you go. Breathe deep, buckle up and get ready for a summer that might just change your life.
You're not just entering an industry. You're helping reshape it.
And if you are entering construction, welcome. It’s super cool, tell your friends!