Why “Fake It Till You Make It” is Poor Advice for Interns: A Better Approach

Interning is an essential part of professional development, providing an opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge in a specific field. However, not all internships are created equal, and some interns might feel tempted to fake their abilities to impress their employers. A recent article on Thought Catalog titled “Fake it Till You Make It: The Ultimate Advice for Any Intern” explores this possibility, arguing that pretending to know what you’re doing is the key to success. While the article makes some valid points, such as the importance of networking and building relationships, it ultimately misses the mark. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at why faking it till you make it is poor advice for interns and suggest a better approach.

Seeking Out Better Opportunities

The first step to having a successful internship is to seek out better opportunities. Research has shown that paid internships not only provide more engaging and fulfilling experiences, but interns are more likely to receive job offers after their program is over. Moreover, paid interns enjoy workplace rights that unpaid interns don’t have, such as protection against discrimination. Taking on an unpaid internship might expose you to a range of risks, including arbitrary dismissal and sexual harassment. In short, seeking out better opportunities from the outset is essential.

Asking for Mentorship and Access to Executives

Once you’ve secured an internship, it’s essential to begin learning and growing from the outset. While pretending to know what you’re doing might seem like a good idea, it doesn’t help you acquire real-life knowledge effectively. Instead, seeking mentorship and access to executives will allow you to learn from experienced professionals in your field. According to a survey, nearly half of all interns want mentorship and access to executives to gain valuable insights.

When you start your internship, sit down with your employer and ask for feedback on your tasks, goals, and overall performance. This feedback will provide a foundation for a quality professional relationship from which you can learn and grow.

Avoid Taking on Projects You’re Not Ready For

It’s tempting to take on more work than you’re assigned or lead a client meeting, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, the quality of your work will suffer. Knowing when to take on a project and when to wait requires a level of self-awareness and honesty with oneself. When you’ve honed your skills and received appropriate feedback, taking on additional responsibilities will produce better results. If you don’t feel confident in your abilities, don’t fake it. Instead, acknowledge your limitations and ask for suggestions on how to improve your skills.

Move Forward with Confidence

If you’ve taken the time to secure a mentor, develop your skills, and understand your industry, you’ll prove your value to any employer. Interns who demonstrate value move forward, whether that means being offered an extension or getting hired. However, you must take control of your professional development at some point. Before, during, and after your internship ends, express your desire to stay with the company and grow professionally. This will demonstrate your commitment to your employer and your career, thereby increasing your chances of success.

In conclusion, pretending to know what you’re doing might sound like a good way to make an impression in the short-term, but it misses the whole point of an internship. Faking it can hinder your learning and negatively affect the quality of your work. Instead, focus on acquiring real knowledge so that pretending won’t have to be an option.

Tags: internships, professional development, mentorship, workplace rights, skills acquisition.