They put the other new intern in charge of me...

<p>Ok, so I just got done with the second day of a summer internship with a relatively prestigious think tank in DC. I'm working in a relatively small office focused on fundraising--theres the director, a research assistant, and like 5 interns. Of those, myself an one other guy are just starting. So today, the director calls a meeting and puts the other new intern in charge of all the interns. This guy isn't especially well qualified, 2 of the other interns have been there for months already and another one is a grad student. Later in the afternoon, the guy starts assigning work and generally bossing people around. He tells me to write an email for him. </p>

<p>I'm starting to think that the office is just out to lunch. Who puts a college intern on his second day in charge of anyone? This doesn't seem normal. Frankly, I feel humiliated that I have to take orders from someone with only 2 days of experience. What should I do? I would try and transfer to another part of the organization, but I'm pretty sure thats impossible. I don't want to quit because the internship looks really good on a resume, but I'm really worried that the next 2 months will be awful. </p>

<p>Any thoughts?</p>

<p>Its probably some kind of test.</p>

<p>Maybe the other new intern has some prior relationship with the director. Welcome to the real world.</p>

<p>Think of yourself as part of a team with the other guy ... and the other guy got the instructions on what to do next. Go with the flow. It's only two months and you'll have that experience behind you, and on the resume. </p>

<p>And remember -- prima donnas are a serious pain.</p>

<p>You ask what you should do. No matter the reason for the choice of leader, you should do the very best job you can...always. How you perform will be noticed.</p>