The Best – And Worst – Career Advice

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