Although this may seem blunt, I’ve noticed numerous instances of unclear direction and general disorganization within this internship experience. Currently, the employee assigned to lead our project has been absent since we started and is only expected to arrive next week. In the meantime, the CEO has stepped in to oversee our progress. However, given his numerous responsibilities and the broader scope of his role, it’s been understandably difficult for him to devote consistent time and attention to us in the way a dedicated project lead could.
Most of our tasks have lacked proper guidance. Typically, the CEO only checks in with us two or three times a day—briefly—and while we appreciate his effort, the absence of thorough feedback or direction has left us navigating many assignments on our own. During the first two weeks especially, we often felt completely lost. The timeline we were given for our deliverables also proved to be unrealistic, compounding the uncertainty. Initially, I assumed the problem was on my end. I thought, perhaps, that this sense of confusion was simply due to my inexperience, or the steep learning curve of adjusting to an internship environment for the first time.
However, after open conversations with the other interns, and even with one of the employees who is involved in a separate project, I discovered they’ve had similar concerns. That reassurance was validating, in a way—it helped me realize that my difficulties weren’t just a reflection of my own shortcomings, but stemmed from a broader issue with the structure of the internship itself.
A particularly eye-opening moment came when we were informed that new interns would be joining us. On the day they were scheduled to arrive, none of the employees were at the office to welcome or orient them. While we’ve gotten used to starting the day with minimal supervision—people tend to trickle in around noon—it felt especially inappropriate and unprofessional for there to be no one to greet the newcomers. We ended up taking it upon ourselves to welcome them, answer their questions, and introduce them to the space and the workflow, despite not having a full understanding of many aspects ourselves.
Another major challenge was being tasked with building a financial model for our project. None of us had prior experience in financial modeling, and yet we were expected to complete the assignment with minimal support. To make matters worse, we didn’t have access to all the relevant data or project details, so we had to rely on broad estimates and assumptions. This was extremely stressful and made me question how accurate or useful our work could really be under those conditions.
Reflecting on all of this, I realize my expectations going into this internship were quite different. I had hoped for a smoother onboarding process—perhaps some formal training, guidance on company procedures, and a clear framework within which to build our skills before diving deep into complex projects. The idea of being entrusted with ownership over a real project can sound impressive on paper, and I do appreciate the trust placed in us. But in reality, it has felt more exhausting than empowering. We’ve had very little guardrails or structure, and that level of autonomy—especially for someone like me who is new to this field—can feel more like abandonment than empowerment.
Interestingly, one of the paradoxes I’ve encountered is the idea of “too much freedom.” That might sound strange to some, especially since freedom and autonomy are often praised as the ideal working conditions. But in the context of an internship, particularly one in a domain I’m still unfamiliar with, I’ve come to understand the value of structure and oversight. I don’t mean micromanagement—I just mean a basic framework that allows for meaningful learning and skill development. Without it, the experience can start to feel chaotic and overwhelming.
That said, I do want to acknowledge the positive aspects as well. Despite the lack of structure, I’ve learned how to be more resourceful and independent. I’ve become more comfortable with uncertainty, and I’ve leaned on my peers for collaboration and support. These aren’t small things—they’re lessons that will likely stick with me far beyond this internship.
Moving forward, I hope the return of the project lead will improve the situation and allow for more consistent guidance. And I genuinely believe that, with a few small changes—such as better onboarding, clearer timelines, and a bit more oversight—this internship could become a more enriching and supportive environment for future interns.