Doubts
Where I am experiencing uncertainty:
In my internship, I often experience ambiguity with the current project I am working on. Requirements aren’t fully defined at the start or what I need to get is difficult. Often times the data needed should not take too long. However, there is a new product launching so some people have been unavailable. This can make it difficult to get into contact and hear back from the people I need in a timely manor. I am also waiting on third-party data which will take a while. The last bits of data are some of the last things I need for my report. Another area I struggled with this week was feeling underutilized. I did sometimes worry that once I finish my report what will I do?
How I’m managing doubt:
To manage the ambiguity, I’ve learned to take initiative by asking clarifying questions early on. Either in morning catch-up meetings or one-on-one with my supervisor. I try and focus on creating a solution and communicate regularly about progress and assumptions I’m making. Staying adaptable and being open to feedback helps me stay on track especially when I am unsure. I have also learned to manage my expectations and work on understanding that my coworkers are overwhelmed. I have also communicated with my supervisors letting them know I am waiting on small data and checking in. With the third-party issue, this is something that both my supervisor and I had to work on. This was much easier to navigate with constant checking in and requesting progress updates. I was really worried I would not have anything to do during July, however simply requesting more fixed this. Clear communication and honesty has helped me in this area. Simply, I requested more work and for other team remembers to utilize me.
Work Event!
This past week was incredibly eventful and I had my first work event! This was an “After-Work Event.” I was so excited to go to an event sponsored by my job. I was also very excited for the free dinner if I am being honest. I also was not sure what to expect from this as it was not something I have experienced.
The event was hosted on a sky-top restaurant and outdoor concert. The event was largely a networking event for our company. The sky-top restaurant is a client of ours that invited us, and we sponsor the event for the summer. There was live-music, costumes (as pictured below with a co-worker), and food. I had gotten a gluten free burger which was very good, twice that night. I was able to create stronger bonds with other interns that are not always in office. The interns at my job are all from different places. From Peru, France, and Japan, it was so nice making friendly bonds. It was also funny to note that myself and the other intern from the program are the youngest there (21 & 19).
Gothenburg
The program I am on organized a weekend trip to Gothenburg. This is a smaller city than Stockholm and on the West Coast of Sweden. I had heard there was beef between the cities so I was excited to make my own opinion.
In order to get there I had to get to the train-station, which ended up being very overwhelming at first. I was not prepared for this atmosphere, it is like a small airport. It was very hot and I was so incredibly overstimulating. However, once I was on the train it was much calmer and much nicer than I expected. My roommate and I had planned to get MAX once we got into the city. We quickly learned that the public transport here was not at all easy to navigate. One of the stations was closed, we went the wrong way, and ended up down the highway. We eventually got to MAX, and it was so good! (we ended up walking to the hotel)
Saturday and Sunday both had hotel breakfasts that were so good. The hotel was buffet style and they had gluten free crepes (yum!) Saturday the program organized for us to go to Liseberg, which is an amusement park in Gothenburg. My friends and I accidentally stumbled on the best roller coasters when the lines were short. The program had given us lunch and dinner Saturday, and truly it was AMAZING. I had a chicken bowl for lunch, steak for dinner, and creme brulee for dessert. Later that night we went out and explored the city as a last hurrah for one of my friends. She is unfortunately on the 4 week program and this was her last week with us.
Sunday was a day that we had free range to do whatever we wanted to. We had chosen to go to the botanical gardens and the local zoo. One thing I noticed immediately was that this botanical garden was 95% outside and focused mostly on native Swedish species. This was not something I was used to. Especially the emphasis on native species. The local zoo was also completely outside and spread out. The walkways were very hilly and uphill, but very scenic. Another added issue was that it was SO windy. Truly some of the worst wind ever, so much so that we left the zoo early. Despite this, Gothenburg was truly an amazing city and I loved this week so much.
Until next week!!
