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How to quit my internship?

How should I quit my internship?

  • I have been working on an internship alongside my degree (I'm 20) for the last few months, want to quit for several reasons. Firstly, I'm paid minimum wage (no London weighting), and the work they require (highly specific computer programming) is very complicated and demanding. Additionally, my uni degree has been suffering since starting this job and its my final year so I need to do better. Finally, they've been constantly changing their requirements and what they need from me, so that the previous design work I have spent weeks working on is now useless. I also don't really have any "chemistry" with any of the other workers, which is a big problem. They are all much much older than me (40's-50's) and in high paying professional posts - I've never really "connected" to any of the people". These things have combined to me genuinely despising the job and being unable to work another day there... they have no idea yet of my concerns and will likely be shocked at my decision. I still get the highest rate of student finance so together with my current pay, I will have enough money for the next 6 months or so without a job. I'm worried that quitting tomorrow will be awkward as it is a small office and everyone there in some way depends own the work I do. This will be made worse by the fact I can't work my notice as I have upcoming exams and really can't afford to be working right now - I also can't stand to be there for another day!!. Can anyone advise on the best way do deal with this tomorrow when I go in? I was just going to hand the boss my resignation letter first thing in the morning and well ...... leave.. but i don't want to be rude. I don't think can stand the demands, questions and bickering directed at me that my resignation will inevitably lead to, so staying the full day isn't an option.

  • Answer:

    If programming has anything to do with your major, I would stick with it despite the low pay and very specific/proprietary languages. You would be surprised how much some practical experience can be worth even if you never use this specific type of programming again. You are also gaining valuable line of business knowledge. As for the requirements changing thing unless you have very competent manager that happens all the time. If it is severely affecting your grades, just explain it to your boss and he may be able to cut down your hours or end your internship early. Also hate to break it, but the chemistry thing will be an issue at many companies unless you work for a start-up or a company with high turnover. Fact is most companies have a lot of "older employees". A lot of are easy to get a long with if you just put forth the effort. As for how much notice you have to give that depends on your country's laws. I know where I live in Texas in the US, you do not have to give notice, but it is a common courtesy to do so. As an intern, it may be different.

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First off, it sounds like you are dealing with normal, everyday things at your job. It doesn't matter where you work, you are going to have to deal with competing obligations and you are going to have to deal people changing their minds. You also can't expect work to be a social event. Despite dealing with these normal everyday problems, if you really want to quit, you MUST give two weeks notice. You don't just hand in your resignation letter and leave- you give two weeks notice and properly pass off your work load. If you don't give two weeks notice, you can wish your chances at a reference goodbye. Don't burn any bridges.

Is this your only job experience in programming so far? You want to do absolutely everything you can to stay on this company's good side - they are your only professional references and contacts you have so far, and you will be depending on a recommendation/reference from them when you apply to your next job - even if your next job is the one after graduation. I'm afraid changing requirements continues to be the bane of existence of software developers everywhere. That is something you're just going to have to learn to deal with regardless of where you are. I've had a project I was working on for just over 5 years be completely scraped just as we were starting to get a few sales not to mention several times when entire solutions undergo a complete redesign and re-architecture. Unfortunately it's just part of life in the software world. Can you go in and beg them for a week or two off for your exams and continue to work after that? It's really important that you do give them 2 weeks notice and stay on their good side to keep them as a good reference. Tell them you really can't deal with exams and work and you're sorry for the short notice but you absolutely need time off and see if you can't work something out (even just working half the week for two weeks should be enough). Welcome to the adult world, which sometimes means you have to do things you don't like for the long-term benefit. In this case, you need to absolutely stick it out as long as you can (preferably the entire time your internship was supposed to last) and find a way to make it work. If that's absolutely not possible, then give a full 2 weeks notice. Not giving notice and ruining the *only* professional reference you have should not be an option at all for you.

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