How can I use internships to rule out careers that do not suit me?
Use an internship not only to choose a future employer, but also as a short experiment for testing conditions that may not suit you. In a role of interest, observe or try the actual work, the people you work with, and how the work is organized, then record which parts of the duties, environment, or working style caused strain or discomfort. Compare several experiences and separate non-negotiable conditions from aspects you could adapt to. This helps you narrow down unsuitable careers more specifically.
Key points
- Pay attention not only to the duties, but also to workplace relationships and how work is organized.
- After each internship, reflect specifically on what caused strain and which conditions you could accept.
- Do not decide from one experience; compare experiences in different roles or environments.
Things to check
- Internship content and length vary by company, university, and program, so check the official information before participating.
- Experience at one company may not represent the entire occupation or industry.