<p>I get good grades in college and am very active in extra curriculars. I'm a well-rounded individual, a passioned leader, and I can network out the wazoo. </p>
<p>But when I'm in the "real world", I flop. I am scared of applying what I've learned to my work because I'm afraid of making a mistake. I know I'm an intern and we're supposed to learn (and I guess this is where "learn from your mistakes" kicks in) but to me, being afraid of failure is an understatement. I'm totally ok with failing a test or even a course, but failure outside of school is a terrifying thought.</p>
<p>I hate when professors hold my hand in school but I am in dire need of them outside of it. How can I get over this fear of failure and ultimately be the best intern I can?</p>
<p>PS I've interned at several federal places and have received good remarks from my supervisors but I've placed a brave face on; inside I was screaming!</p>
<p>I am afraid of failing anything but that led me to an anxiety disorder, which you might want to avoid. </p>
<p>If you were offered an internship, then obviously they see something in you. Stay confident, and remember that you are there to learn. Most likely you are not getting paid, so just think of yourself as free-labor lol, they are lucky to have you. I do not know what your internship is, but I doubt you will have to be making any life or death decisions. Good Luck! Make your mistakes now while you can!</p>
<p>I had an intern over a summer. He didn’t know much about finance, but he was very good with Excel and he had a very good attitude. He would help some more “experienced” people with their spreadsheet in exchange for some help with finance. There wasn’t much expectation of him because we knew he didn’t have any experience, but he was always the first one in and always left after me. He was hired after the summer. </p>
<p>Go in with a good attitude, try to be helpful and likable. If you could get into a college, you probably are smarter than most of those people at work (I doubt most of us could get into some of those colleges now). Relax.</p>
<p>You just have to go in with the attitude that as an intern, you aren’t expected to know everything. Your employers have been in your shoes and they know that. The fact that you’re okay with failing a test or course but are this afraid of failure outside of school is concerning. It’s just like school - a learning experience!</p>
<p>Don’t be afraid to fail, because if you don’t get something right, you’ll learn what to do next time. In a math class do you not do your homework because you don’t want to get a problem wrong? No, you do it, see what you got wrong, and figure out how to fix it for next time!</p>
<p>Take a deep breath and relax. Then try your hardest and learn from mistakes. Everyone messes up. Those who are successful are the people that figure out why the mistake was made and how to fix it next time the situation occurs.</p>