During my internships, especially at larger companies, I’ve always felt rather powerless. I worked for so long to get the internship, so the least I can do is do what they ask of me. Especially in the recent market, being an intern feels like a privilege. Sometimes getting a return offer is the only way to guarantee a full time job, so there’s definitely a lot of pressure for interns to listen to their bosses.
In Susan’s scenario, I feel it would’ve been nice for Susan to ask more questions in the original conversation. She could’ve asked why using the student email has become common practice, what happens when people have tried reaching out without student emails, and what the company does during seasons where they don’t have an intern. I think it would’ve given her a lot of context to help her make a decision.
I really agreed with the first expert’s response. I think the conversation on how to frame the email matched the HBR articles points on “lessen[ing] the social threat that speaking up creates”. I think no matter what, as an intern you have to remember you are in a professional setting with people who are more experienced than you.
Additionally, I think a very important point in the reading was that “she should be evaluating Zantech as much as its executives are evaluating her”. On our end, internships (though it might not seem like it at first) are for you to decide if you want to work at the company. I’ve always felt that if you try your best, and you don’t get evaluated well, then that place of work just isn’t for you. Similarly, if she raises her concerns and it’s taken poorly, maybe its a sign that company isn’t for you anyways.
