What do you do if your Lean Manufacturing internship is not going as planned?

Try to implement an agile methodology with your internship. This way you can have a diary management of the actions and create a routine of delivery using sprints. It’s a form of constant micro and macro management for your internship.

If your Lean Manufacturing internship isn't going well, talk to your supervisor or mentor. They can help or suggest changes. Look for extra learning chances or new projects. If things don't improve, ask about switching roles or talk to your internship coordinator.

If your work is not going as thought request feedback on your performance and areas for improvement. This can help you understand if there are specific areas where you need to adjust your approach.

Communicate with your supervisor. Seek feedback to improve. Reflect on your goals. Take initiative on new projects. Network for support. Stay flexible and positive.

If my Lean Manufacturing internship isn't going as planned, I'd first assess the situation to understand the challenges. Then, I'd communicate with my supervisor to discuss any concerns and seek guidance on how to improve. Additionally, I'd proactively seek out learning opportunities, ask for feedback, and remain flexible to adapt to new tasks or projects. It's essential to stay positive, proactive, and open to constructive criticism to make the most out of the internship experience.

If your internship is off track and the company is not able to properly communicate to you, it means that the environment is definitely not a Lean environment. Anyone can learn from any environment but as a Lean Internship you cannot learn from a toxic environment...

In my opinion, when your internship veers off course, it's crucial to realign it promptly. Firstly, initiate a dialogue with your supervisor to pinpoint the deviations and attempt to rectify them. Your contribution is pivotal, as is the company's, especially if it adheres to Lean principles, which necessitates optimizing all processes, including training

Regular feedback and coaching sessions are a good idea for anyone, not only for interns. Discuss both the what (the results) and the how (the apporach). Explore through the intern's views, what they could've done differently. Also, seek fedback for yourself. Studies have found that seeking feedback drives better employee engagement than providing feedback.

If you're not finding fulfillment in your current tasks, explore if there are other projects or areas within the company where you could contribute. Express your interest in taking on new challenges or learning different aspects of the business.

In my opinion, internships should always be periodically reviewed, regardless of whether they are progressing smoothly or deviating from the intended path. It is essential to compare the internship progress with the set objectives and make necessary adjustments. The feedback from both parties is indispensable to determine the direction forward, with a mutual commitment to addressing the various challenges that arise.

Be flexible with changes, review your goals and objectives, difficulties and challenges will certainly turn into a great opportunity

It depends on teh culture of the organisation. Most supply chain or manufacturing companies want 'green' scorecards. when that is the case, then individuals tend to under promise and over deliver. Always encourage to set strech targets to help broaden the thinking.

I was interning at a company that promoted lean principles, but my tasks felt more like busywork than actual process improvement. So, instead of sitting back passively, I decided to do some on field research work. During downtime, I started observing workflows, asking questions about bottlenecks, and even reviewed data on production times. Then, I presented my findings to my supervisor, highlighting areas where small tweaks could make a big difference. By taking initiative and looking for ways to improve efficiency, even as an intern, I ended up contributing to the lean manufacturing culture and making my internship a lot more engaging.

It's essential to put theoretical teachings into practice by identifying inefficiencies. During my early stages, applying these learnings helped me appreciate information more deeply and feel useful. My advice is always to take the initiative to experiment and put theory into practice. Additionally, the principle of trial and error is crucial in the process of continuous improvement.

To build relationships, I have a simple approach - first give and help. Then ask. Life is about swings and roundabouts. It doesn't need to be from the same individual. If you give unconditionally, you will always get when you are in need.

Suck it up. It's an internship. It's almost a rite of passage to have a terrible internship. It's how you learn what you DON'T WANT out of your real job after school

If the situation doesn't improve despite your efforts, it may be necessary to reassess whether this internship aligns with your goals and aspirations. You can explore other opportunities or consider what lessons you can take away from the experience.