I always took an independent path, never did an internship, never really did the resume thing.

People can forge their own paths without taking the traditional path to find success. Maybe that’s what’s best for them.

For some it works, for others it doesn’t. What’s important is just finding what works for yourself.

In my first agency internship, I did things like filing, updating spreadsheets, retyping documents, etc. in my first few weeks. My skills enabled me to do much more complex projects, but I had to take the little things in stride with the big things. Jenavi clearly didn’t understand that small tasks are a proving ground for things like focus, accountability and attention to detail. Plus, working only two days a week, Jenavi already set herself up for a situation that doesn’t fit well with ongoing projects.

It’s sad to read something like what she wrote, and think about how hard some students work toward attaining agency internships and watch the positions go to people like Jenavi. She also seems to have failed in understanding how her attitude may have played a role in her bad experience. It takes two to tango, and I’d be interested to hear what her supervisors thought of her as a productive intern.

Very few people go through life loving everything about every job they’ve ever had, but successful people find a way to make the best of disappointing situations and find the value in them. I hope Jenavi is well connected outside that agency’s circle or has some influential parents, because she’s going to have to work very hard at defending herself to future employers.