Struggling to get noticed at work? One intrepid intern tries out the best – and worst – career advice straight out of Silicon Valley (so you don’t have to) ...
Sorry to interrupt,” I croak. Fifteen pairs of eyes roll slowly towards me like marbles, and our chief subeditor glances up from the document she was, until now, reading aloud. We’re at the weekly production meeting where editors, heads of department and the rest of the team discuss deadlines. Interns don’t interrupt these meetings, unless it’s completely necessary. Clearing my throat, I can’t help but think that what I’m about to say doesn’t quite qualify.
“I’ve got quite a lot on my schedule today…” My line managers shoot me baffled looks, but I persevere. “So I think I’ll pass on the rest of this meeting?” The question mark in my voice is rhetorical – I’m already on my way out of the door, strutting through a cloud of gasps and nervous giggles, the meeting’s agenda folded under my arm. Surprisingly, I’m not on some passive-aggressive mission to be reunited with my P45 – the opposite, in fact. I’m six months into the year-long internship of my dreams, and frankly I’m worried I’ve become part of the furniture – not in a good way. I was always taught politeness, competence and a “can-do attitude” were the magic carpet to professional success. However, I’ve learned over the past six months that grinning meekly and memorising tea rounds might win me a positive reference when my contract is up, but it’s unlikely to help me win the golden egg of any internship: sidestepping into a permanent position.
GETTING NOTICED
Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra July 2019-utgaven av Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Letting go of fear
Oozing confidence, Shalindri Malawana learned a long time ago how to take on anything life thrust at her.
Conservation and care
Savera Weerasinghe’s career, from a non-profit to the manufacturing industry to sustainability, has always had a single common theme: start small, think big.
A woman with a cause
Shiandra Gooneratne is in a bat t le against an age-old enemy and plans to make a difference
Telling stories making space
Nabeela Yaseen created a platform for women and girls to feel safe, seen, and supported. She never expected just how many of them would need it.
Saving the environment
Anoka Abeyrathne, a conservationist and social entrepreneur, is only just getting started
Doing her own thing
Shifani Reffai has done a lot of different things. But she’s done them all her way.
Dance etched in her veins
Thajithangani “Thaji” Dias lives and breathes dance
Changing mindsets
Randhula De Silva, CEO of Hatch and Director of GIZ, is a disrupter at her core. And she’s just get ting started.
A guide to making it big in your career
It 's in the details
How To Watch A Movie Alone And Have The Best Time Ever
Movie marathon, anyone? No? Cool, I‘ll go solo!