Taking a lot of time off from internship/work

[Pagey]

So I've been doing an internship at this literary agency since the beginning of June. I was only meant to do it through June initially but they offered me to stay the whole summer a few days in and I accepted. What I'm now realising is I'm fucking miserable at that place. Not because of how it actually is but just cuz I'm not really in any kind of shape to do an unpaid internship right now. Ie. I don't want to be working in a claustrophobic office from 9 to 7 during my summer if I'm not even going to get paid for it. I started hallucinating at work today from lack of sleep. Then I came home and learned of a good friend's death and it's now 3 am and right, have to stop rambling but the point is there's no way I'm going to manage to continue with it.
I can't just take a efw days off cuz I had to skip a few last week due to being sick.
i'd just quit now but the problem is this is a massive career opportunity the likes of which don't come around very often. I'm 19 so still have some time ahead of me before starting to think of a proper career but I'm really afraid if I quit now, even if I tell them the reasons why - ie. poor physical health & friend's death -, they won't be interested in me in the future if I ever want to apply for a job there.

Has anyone been in that position before? Where you had to take a lot of time off a job because of personal reasons but they didn't think less of you for it or something?

 

[Raasyvibe]

As they are a business, you'll find they aren't that concerned with your personal reasons, but the success of the business. So don't expect sympathy when you talk about your "personal reasons".

It all depends on how much you want the job. If you really feel it's right for you, maybe it's worth making a bit of sacrifice, and putting up with the shit for this short period of time.. If not, i'm sure many other opportunities will come your way.

 

[Pagey]

As they are a business, you'll find they aren't that concerned with your personal reasons, but the success of the business. So don't expect sympathy when you talk about your "personal reasons".

Hence the question really...it's a very small company and I know the boss personally (somewhat) so I was kinda hoping I might have more of a chance with that but wasn't countin on it. I'm basically just wondering if bosses are prone to understand such reasons and not immediately assume you're an unreliable employee who could never be trusted

It all depends on how much you want the job. If you really feel it's right for you, maybe it's worth making a bit of sacrifice, and putting up with the shit for this short period of time.. If not, i'm sure many other opportunities will come you're way. If you just can't do it; I'm sure you'll eventually find something else.

Well...I mean this job would only be a permanent position in a few years' time, once I've finished uni and stuff, so that's why I'm a bit annoyed at spending so much unpaid time on it now when I don't even know if it'll ever properly pay off. But on the other hand if they deem me unreliable cuz of this and never wanna consider me again if sme day I do wanna apply, I'm gonna hate myself. If that makes sense...

 

[Raasyvibe]

usually apprentiships pay you. If you're unpaid for a job that's not guaranteed I'd be very suspicious, sounds like your being used.

My experience of "small firms" is that they only care about the success of the business, and will use people if it helps the business.

Quite a lot to do also, alongside Uni... would personally get the degree out the way before you commit to something like this.

Though, it's upto you... if you feel they are genuine and you will get a job, maybe worth sticking with it... or at least discussing this with them... see where that gets you

 

[brimz]

Tricky ones internships more so i it's someone you already know .

Had a mate that did 2 years 40hrs a week & was bouyed off by a "friend of the family " who was going to employ him .

He saw the light in the end & re trained & is now a Carpenter like Jesus . True story .

 

[Septonn]

I'd say it really depends on the people running the company.. I work for a big multinational company which you'd think would only be interested in their own business affairs, but I find them to treat people with health/ physical/ personal problems with care and respect, as long as people are honest and forthcoming about it. You say you know your boss, if you feel like he's a reasonable character, there's no harm in at least discussing how you feel, is there? Maybe coming clean with your boss about the state you're in atm, without making any decisions yet, can help in making this situation better.
Anyway, wearing yourself out completely because of a perceived future job opportunity is never a good idea in my opinion.

 

[parttime crackhead]

What I'm now realising is I'm fucking miserable at that place.

Welcome to reality.

 

[Pagey]

Tricky ones internships more so i it's someone you already know .

Had a mate that did 2 years 40hrs a week & was bouyed off by a "friend of the family " who was going to employ him .

He saw the light in the end & re trained & is now a Carpenter like Jesus . True story .

Wait, 2 years 40 hours a week without pay?! Ouch. That's brave.

I'd say it really depends on the people running the company.. I work for a big multinational company which you'd think would only be interested in their own business affairs, but I find them to treat people with health/ physical/ personal problems with care and respect, as long as people are honest and forthcoming about it. You say you know your boss, if you feel like he's a reasonable character, there's no harm in at least discussing how you feel, is there? Maybe coming clean with your boss about the state you're in atm, without making any decisions yet, can help in making this situation better.
Anyway, wearing yourself out completely because of a perceived future job opportunity is never a good idea in my opinion.

Yeah I mean I certainly think she'd understand...I think in any case if I decide to quit I would discuss it with her at length just so it's clear that it's not because I didn't enjoy the opportunity etc. etc. but I'm not really sure I can discuss my options with her previous to my decisions...? Then again I might as well try.
And yes your last sentence is true.
Ughh. I think I'm going to wait a few days/til the end of the week and if I still feel like this I'll quit. Cheers.

Welcome to reality.

True. But if I'm going to be miserable I'd like to at least be paid for it

 

[brimz]

Wait, 2 years 40 hours a week without pay?! Ouch. That's brave.



)

£30 a week it was back in 1995 .

 

[T. Calderone]

I think it's a hassle that they are not paying you and you're expected to be there 10 hours a day. So this internship ends when your next semester begins? Yeah, there goes your summer. It would be nice if you could get paid some wages instead of nothing.

Like someone else suggested, perhaps talk to the boss and tell him what's happening in your life. I mean, not every detail but that you're in need of some time alone that was not expected. Explain that you wouldn't have agreed to this deal if your heart wasn't in it but you're having a personal crisis.

You could say you very much appreciate the chance to do the internship perhaps on a part-time basis, maybe a couple days a week. Perhaps they may be able to take you on next semester or next year when you're in a better state emotionally.

To answer your question better, I've left jobs even my last one I was encouraged to leave because I had many personal issues. These things couldn't be helped and I'm still friendly with the man, he was a friend from college. The bottom line Pagey is you have to take care of you You have your whole life to work and right now it's not the right time.

 

[mydrugbuddy]

I think it depends on how good an impression you have made on them up until now. If they are impressed with you, and you have already acquired some of the skills they want and you fit in well, they could bend over backwards to help you. Otherwise, erm, well you know. You'll know yourself whether you feel a sense of approval or disapproval coming from the managers & other staff. I think that will be your best guide.

 

[Marmalade]

Pagey, couldn't see you mention it in the posts above, but i may have missed it ... is this the internship that you said were gonna give you a paid job when you got back to uni, or is that summat else?

 

[The Liberal Media]

Fuck em and fuck work.
This term internship really pisses me off
More like Gulag

 

[mydrugbuddy]

Pagey, i think you've had the full spectrum of opinions, now it's up to you.

 

[Urbain]

Hate to say it page but the man has a point.

Suck it up and get on with it - it's only 2 months of your life for a nice fat gold star on your CV and an employment opportunity after you graduate, which most of us don't get.

I was working 8 hours a week, 6 days out of 7 four days after coming back from my best mate's funeral, still in heroin W.D.s, and I stuck it out.

You can do it if you put yourself up to it.

Although not everyone hates their jobs, i agree with this pagey. Its only for a while longer, and you were initially hyped to have the opportunity. Stick it out, Dont make any snap decisions. Internships are essentially slave lab our, but they can give you a great head start in your career.

Best of luck

 

[Pagey]

I think it's a hassle that they are not paying you and you're expected to be there 10 hours a day. So this internship ends when your next semester begins? Yeah, there goes your summer. It would be nice if you could get paid some wages instead of nothing.

Like someone else suggested, perhaps talk to the boss and tell him what's happening in your life. I mean, not every detail but that you're in need of some time alone that was not expected. Explain that you wouldn't have agreed to this deal if your heart wasn't in it but you're having a personal crisis.

You could say you very much appreciate the chance to do the internship perhaps on a part-time basis, maybe a couple days a week. Perhaps they may be able to take you on next semester or next year when you're in a better state emotionally.

To answer your question better, I've left jobs even my last one I was encouraged to leave because I had many personal issues. These things couldn't be helped and I'm still friendly with the man, he was a friend from college. The bottom line Pagey is you have to take care of you You have your whole life to work and right now it's not the right time.

Yes those are my thoughts exactly if I'm stillf eeling like this by the end of the week I think I'll ask to speak to my boss and see what she thinks. I mean I know she likes me but yeah. thank you

I think it depends on how good an impression you have made on them up until now. If they are impressed with you, and you have already acquired some of the skills they want and you fit in well, they could bend over backwards to help you. Otherwise, erm, well you know. You'll know yourself whether you feel a sense of approval or disapproval coming from the managers & other staff. I think that will be your best guide.

Yes true. Well I know they think I'm doing well and they like havnig me there. Whether that's enough is another matter haha.

Hate to say it Page but the man has a point.

Suck it up and get on with it - it's only 2 months of your life for a nice fat gold star on your CV and an employment opportunity after you graduate, which most of us don't get.

I was working 8 hours a day[edited, whoops], 6 days out of 7 four days after coming back from my best mate's funeral, still in heroin W.D.s, and I stuck it out.

You can do it if you put yourself up to it.

Thing is I'm getting the fat gold star on my CV whether I quit now or not. the question is whether they in particular would want to employ me later, which isn't necessarily a very likely possiblity anyway because they're tiny.
Unfortunately I don't feel I have exactly the same mental power you do or anyone else who can have a friend die, be messed up from drugs and not get paid and still work 8+ hours a day. I dunno I don't really get your point of comparing it with your situation, you've obviously got a rather unusual amount of willpower but well I don't.
Not that I'm annoyed or picking an argument or whatever but I'm exhausted and your post seemed a bit unnecessarily harsh. A good friend of mine just died last night so it's a little hard to feel I can just suck it up right now.

Pagey, couldn't see you mention it in the posts above, but i may have missed it ... is this the internship that you said were gonna give you a paid job when you got back to uni, or is that summat else?

Yeah, but I'm not going to be able to take the job...I'd literally not have a second for myself or to do uni work if I took this job during classes so I'm going to have to turn it down or it'll affect my studies too much.

Fuck em and fuck work.
This term internship really pisses me off
More like Gulag

Haha.

Pagey, i think you've had the full spectrum of opinions, now it's up to you.

Indeed. I"m gonna wait til the end of the week and see how I fee.

Although not everyone hates their jobs, i agree with this pagey. Its only for a while longer, and you were initially hyped to have the opportunity. Stick it out, Dont make any snap decisions. Internships are essentially slave lab our, but they can give you a great head start in your career.

Best of luck

Yeah I know, but a lot of stuff also happened since I was initially hyped...dunno. I'm not going to make any snap decisions for sure but I'm just not sure a small possibility of employment later on is worth completely screwing up both my mental and physical health atm

Anyway thanks a lot for all the answers, I really appreciate it.

 

[The Liberal Media]

The first day after you quit your job is one of the greatest feelings in the world, its true freedom(well as long as you have money to eat and shelter yourself)

Cv's are bullshit anyways, take some time off , evaluate where your life is going .
You can always fill in gaps later on your CV as long as you can bullshit it in an interview
Just tell them you were working on a business plan etc etc

 

[swedger77]

True. But if I'm going to be miserable I'd like to at least be paid for it

unpaid internships don't pay the best.

 

[swedger77]

Although not everyone hates their jobs, i agree with this pagey. Its only for a while longer, and you were initially hyped to have the opportunity. Stick it out, Dont make any snap decisions. Internships are essentially slave lab our, but they can give you a great head start in your career.

Best of luck

^ This. Will be great on the CV instead of a blank or half an internship.

 

[Pagey]

The first day after you quit your job is one of the greatest feelings in the world, its true freedom(well as long as you have money to eat and shelter yourself)

Cv's are bullshit anyways, take some time off , evaluate where your life is going .
You can always fill in gaps later on your CV as long as you can bullshit it in an interview
Just tell them you were working on a business plan etc etc

^ This. Will be great on the CV instead of a blank or half an internship.

That's the thing though - there wouldn't even be a blank in my CV. Basically whether I stop now or finish the summer I'm gonna write it down as 'summer 2013' in my CV anyway...this is purely regarding future employment opportunities with this agency/future contacts through them. Otherwise there isn't much point in me finishing, it's going to look good on my CV no matter what basically