Internship issues
I need some advice. My internship is causing me significant stress and affecting my ability to complete my coursework. I am supposed to receive one hour of supervision per week from my field advisor at my generalist internship; however, she is rarely in the office when I come in. I’ve tried various approaches to make it work and recently learned that another intern is experiencing the same issue. It turns out my field advisor has a chronic illness. When I go to the office, I’m not given any meaningful tasks. Instead, I’m instructed to shadow the receptionist, who just transfers calls. I’m not training to be a receptionist, and I have assignments that require me to interact with clients. Without these interactions, I cannot complete my assignments. Three employees have quit since I've been there for a month. I reached out to my college for help, and they informed me that I must meet with them, my field advisor, and myself, as that is their protocol. However, I fear that this meeting will only create an awkward situation, shifting the power dynamic. Potentially upsetting my field advisor and her failing me. There are so many internal issues, and I doubt a meeting will resolve the deeper problems, especially given my field advisor’s health situation. I am frustrated and stressed, especially since I am paying my college to place me in an adequate internship where I can gain experience. Instead, I feel trapped in a location that isn't equipped to take interns and is unwilling to let me go.
I need some advice.
My internship is causing me significant stress and affecting my ability to complete my coursework.
I am supposed to receive one hour of supervision per week from my field advisor at my generalist internship; however, she is rarely in the office when I come in. I’ve tried various approaches to make it work and recently learned that another intern is experiencing the same issue. It turns out my field advisor has a chronic illness.
When I go to the office, I’m not given any meaningful tasks. Instead, I’m instructed to shadow the receptionist, who just transfers calls. I’m not training to be a receptionist, and I have assignments that require me to interact with clients. Without these interactions, I cannot complete my assignments. Three employees have quit since I've been there for a month.
I reached out to my college for help, and they informed me that I must meet with them, my field advisor, and myself, as that is their protocol. However, I fear that this meeting will only create an awkward situation, shifting the power dynamic. Potentially upsetting my field advisor and her failing me. There are so many internal issues, and I doubt a meeting will resolve the deeper problems, especially given my field advisor’s health situation.
I am frustrated and stressed, especially since I am paying my college to place me in an adequate internship where I can gain experience. Instead, I feel trapped in a location that isn't equipped to take interns and is unwilling to let me go.
