<p>So I started a summer internship last Friday (today was my second day), and I know that it's still extremely early to judge, but I have come to an initial conclusion that I am just not qualified for the job, and I don't really know what to do about it.</p>
<p>When I applied for the position in April, the job description was vague and basically said that this position will provide experience related to the applicant's field of study. During the interview however, I was told that the job is primarily for industrial engineers/business/finance, and that I would need a strong background in probability, statistics, and related software. I'm majoring in electrical engineering though, and have been for the past two years. </p>
<p>I guess this is my fault because I shouldn't have pursued this any further after I found out the job doesn't fit me, but I wasn't really expecting to get the position, and since I didn't have any other choice and this was the only summer job available to me, when I got the position I thought why not give it a shot? </p>
<p>This position does pay well, but I just don't know enough in my opinion. I have to work on projects with other team members and the stuff they do makes little sense to me. I ask questions (and the people are very nice and responsive) and try to read textbooks on related topics to understand more, but for the first two days, I've just been incredibly bored because I have no idea what to do and how to do it. The thought of having to wake up early everyday for this is becoming a little depressing, and I don't know how I'm going to get through 10 weeks of this. I guess I'm really just here to vent, lol. Should I stick with it? Is it too early? Has anyone else gone through something like this? Thanks for reading. </p>
<p>You should absolutely stick with it. The stuff may be totally foreign to you, but dig in and you will learn a lot. I’m in IE grad school right now so if you have any questions that you really don’t want to ask them, throw it on here and I would be glad to point you in the right direction. Honestly, the way you worded that job description, I’m pretty sure I know what company you are at. Also, I’m sure a lot of people there have no clue what they are doing either. Don’t look at this as daunting. Just go in with the mindset of learning as much as you can. You’re an intern, not a new grad hire, and even then they don’t really know jack until they hit the floor for a bit. </p>
<p>Often the first few days of a new job it feel like you are trying to “drink from a fire hose”. Stick with it. Thing should get better. If not… 10 weeks is not so long in the grand scheme of life. Good luck! </p>
<p>Sounds like a great challenge to me. Stick with it. If you aren’t sure how to do a task, ask if there is a previous similar report. Get it and go thru it to figure it out. When I had interns/new hires working for me, that is what I would do. Give them a task that was basically redoing a previous task (with different inputs but the same procedure). Most everyone is always a bit overwhelmed at first. So much to learn. </p>
<p>The opposite experience is actually worse in the long run. If you have a job that is not a challenge, then imagine doing that for 40 years.</p>
<p>So which company hires IE/business/finance interns, seemingly without regard to their qualifications, and pays them well? Some folks who actually do have those interests would love to know.</p>
<p>Wow your experience is incredibly similar to mine. I have been at my internship (I am a Mechanical Engineer) for about a week now. To be honest, most of the work is extremely boring and I have had similar thoughts as you. I am working for a construction company and it is an engineering internship, but most of the work isn’t all that engineering related. I guess I will stick it out for now and see where it goes. </p>
<p>You should definitely stick it out. Any new job is confusing at first. If this was a full-time permanent position, it would make more sense to really consider if the position is a fit. But for a short summer position, it is a no-brainer to to finish it, and put in your best effort. And this experience, if it is a bad one, should certainly influence your future plans. </p>
<p>As an engineering manager, if I were considering an applicant whom I was aware had quit an internship position the first week, I would not hire that person. Of course, you probably wouldn’t put it on your resume, but a lot of hiring is done through networking, and it is sometimes surprising what a small world certain industries are. You DO NOT want to be known as “the intern who quit the first week”. </p>