So i got this paid IT internship at a company. The company is small so I’ll be the only IT guy there and Ill be full-time if perform up to standards by the end of the internship. The problem is I’m really nervous about it all! Basically I’ve been assigned to learn a bunch of programs since ill be doing everything IT related. One for example is Backup Exec. I’m not dumb, I learn quick its just that I’m doubting that I can perform and absorb all this information fast enough. I mean from the looks of it, it seems really simple just learn a program and its interface like you would with any other program but I still cant build myself up to believe that I can do it. There’s a lot of information that Ill need to know once I go full time too mostly about networks and security.
This is my first internship ever and I really REALLY want it and the full time position as well. I understand the point of this experience is to lean but I feel like there’s a lot of pressure being put one me with all these expectations. And also the only other IT guy who is the VP will be gone a lot so this will be self-motivated and self-taught. I don’t want to disappoint and let the VP down. Any advice or similar experiences in the IT field preferably?
I can give you some perspective from someone in the engineering field at an intern level.
They have to give you some training before expecting anything. Basically, they don’t expect much.
It seems to me like they are just using you for cheap labor- but it’s OK, since you are going to be learning a lot at the same time.
I’ve seen a lot of interns be nervous to the point of not functioning correctly, so, just relax. It’s honestly not a big deal, just learn what you can, and when you need help; ask someone.
The only time I dealt with IT people is to be assigned a laptop, so I don’t think you will be working with people extensively. This will be more of a solo thing.
Good luck.
This could be a fairly tough assignment if you really are their only IT person. Was there someone before who quit? Or has some business person been handling this, and now they feel they need IT support (this VP you mentioned)? It is REALLY hard for one person to know all there is to know to do IT for a company, and it isn’t very realistic to expect an intern to be able to handle it all. I agree with the comment above that they seem to be looking for “cheap labor”. I’d say go into it and do the best you can, but don’t get too down on yourself or your skills if you don’t know everything and some stuff is messed up. You are not exactly being set up to succeed… See how the internship goes, and then figure out if you want to work their long term (if they still want you).
There was a graduate student that was there for 5 years before me who did very well but eventually left and after that they hired an older gentleman who did not perform so they let him go (they contacted me the day he was let go). The VP knows a good amount of IT related things but has a small private IT company working remotely when needed. He basically wants to drop the company and have a full time IT guy again which is where I come in. Day 2 wasn’t bad but it seems like he wants to see how fast I learn and then he will let me know if we are a good match for each other; his words.
I’m just going to do my best and not worry about whether i keep it or lose it. It’ll be a good learning experience none the less.