I'm a high school student excited to start a summer internship at a small data science and analytics firm in a few weeks. To be honest, I got the position through connections, so I'm feeling a lot of pressure—especially since there are other interns from prestigious colleges who are super experienced and skilled. The role will involve DevOps, infrastructure work, and possibly some data science using tools like Linux, shell scripting, Python (including libraries like Pandas, Plotly, and Streamlit), and AWS. However, my background is limited to basic Python, and I've never worked with AWS before.
I'm determined to prove that I deserve to be there without faking my way through it. I'd love some advice on what I should focus on learning over the next few weeks to be a real asset to my team. Any tips on how I can stand out positively, especially given that I'm the least experienced intern in the group? I really want to make a good impression and successfully navigate this opportunity!
3 Answers
Honestly, acknowledging your feelings is the first step. It's tough being in a room with highly skilled peers, but remember that everyone starts somewhere. You're there to learn, not necessarily to outperform them from day one. You might want to focus on your communication skills as well; being able to effectively share your thoughts can make a big impression. If you're feeling anxiety about it, just remember that it’s normal!
First off, congratulations on landing the internship! The fact that you’re seeking advice shows you’re motivated, which is awesome. Concentrate on brushing up your Python skills, particularly with the libraries they'll use like Pandas and Plotly. An online course or some YouTube tutorials can be a quick way to get familiar. For AWS, try out the free tier to get a feel for services like S3 and EC2. And don’t hesitate to ask questions when you're there; it's a great way to learn and show you're eager to improve!
To be completely candid, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and think you're not qualified, it might be better to step back instead of going in underprepared. But if you're determined, put in the hard work! Make sure you're not just 'fitting in' but genuinely trying to learn. Use this opportunity as a growth experience; that way, whether you stay long-term or not, you'll walk away with some knowledge and skills.
That’s a bit harsh! But I see your point—just remember every experience has value, even if it feels tough at first.
Definitely! Also, maybe you could find a project idea that combines what you're learning and present it to your team. It shows initiative!