Is it embarrassing to be interning after graduation? I have an unpaid internship as a college grad and the girl who is my immediate supervisor is the same age as me. This is so awkward. How do I treat her? Should I act any differently than a regular intern?
It is most certainly not embarrassing to work as an intern following graduation. And to prove it, here’s a stat from a recent CareerBuilder.com survey- nearly a quarter of the 2,500 employers polled noted a surge in the number of internship applicants who have 10 or more years of professional experience! Let your feelings of insecurity go and treat her with the same level of respect as you would any other supervisor. Use this as a time to learn and gain insights- she may provide applicable advice on how she navigated her way into her current position. Mentors and references come in all ages and experiences. Just remember to be humble and work hard- you’re still in the phase of proving yourself to reach the next level. Good luck!