Let’s Beat Up Some Interns! (Figuratively, Of Course)

No one starts out their careers on the top. Most of us have to start at the lowest rung of the employment ladder, as an intern. And while most of us have graduated on to more advanced positions, we never forget our employment roots.

And any mistreatment you received when you were an intern is passed down to your interns.

It’s sort of like if you were in a fraternity or sorority in college. When you pledge you’re forced to do all sorts of dumb, and sometimes humiliating, tasks. And you vow that when you’re in, you’ll never treat new pledges the way you were treated.

Yup, definitely want an intern.

But you totally do.

I was lucky enough to have some great internships at the start of my career. I interned at a magazine where I got to write and edit articles. I interned at a book publishing company where I got to essentially ghost write a novel.

But I also had to answer phones, make copies, take dictation…

So, do you have any interns in your office? I don’t. But if I did, I would totally make him (and in my mind, he looks like Brad Pitt, circa Thelma and Louise) do all the tasks that I find monotonous. Brad would have to photocopy. Brad would have to fact check. And Brad would certainly have to reach for that binder all the way on the top shelf over there (if only so I could see him stretch). But of course, I would give him real assignments too, so he could grow and gain skills for the future.

Were you ever an intern? And if so, how were you treated? Were you more of a “go get me coffee, fax these contracts, pick up my laundry” type intern, or were you given real tasks?

Actually, it’s summer, and I’m feeling light hearted. Let’s get some horror stories in the comments section. What were some of the worst tasks you or your friends were ever asked to perform as interns? What’s the worst thing you’ve ever made your own intern do (of course, you only made her do it so she could grow in her career and learn about the “real world,” and you obviously felt insanely guilty after)?

By Jessica Livingston