What do you do if your patient advocacy internship is not meeting your expectations?

If your patient advocacy internship is not meeting your expectations, it's advisable to assess the fit. Evaluate if the internship aligns with your goals, interests, and values. Consider discussing concerns with supervisors to address any issues and explore opportunities for adjustments or additional responsibilities. Reflect on whether the internship provides the learning and growth opportunities you seek, and if not, consider seeking guidance from mentors or career advisors to navigate the situation effectively.

Assessing the fit of your internship is the first step when expectations aren't met. Reflect on your initial goals and the internship's objectives. Are they aligned? It's possible that the role you're in is not well-suited to your skills and interests or that the organization's culture doesn't match your values. Consider whether the gap between your expectations and reality is due to a misalignment or misunderstandings about the internship's scope. This reflection can help you articulate your concerns and determine if adjustments can be made.

Schedule a meeting with your internship supervisors or mentors to discuss your concerns. Be honest and respectful in expressing your thoughts and feelings about the internship experience. Provide specific examples of where you feel the internship is falling short and ask for their perspective on how to address the issues.

Open communication is vital in addressing any dissatisfaction with your internship. Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your concerns. Approach the conversation with a positive attitude and specific examples of where your expectations are not being met. Be prepared to listen to their perspective as well; there may be reasons for certain limitations you're unaware of. Collaboration with your supervisor can lead to finding a mutually beneficial solution that enhances your internship experience.

Mentorship is important in all internships. If your patient advocacy internship isn't meeting your expectations, seek mentorship within the organization. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and insights into the field. They can help tailor your experience to better fit your career goals and advocate for you within the organization. ??

If the internship is unable to meet your expectations despite efforts to address the issues internally, consider seeking external resources or support. This could include reaching out to career advisors, mentors, or professionals in the field for guidance and advice on next steps.

Mentorship is an invaluable asset in any internship. If you're feeling underwhelmed by your experience, seek out a mentor within the organization who can provide guidance, support, and possibly open doors to more fulfilling opportunities. A mentor with experience in patient advocacy can offer insights into the field and help you navigate the challenges you're facing. They can also advocate for you and help tailor your internship to better fit your career goals.

Networking within the organization and the broader patient advocacy community can enhance your internship experience. Attend events, workshops, and meetings to connect with professionals in your field. These connections can provide a broader perspective on patient advocacy and might lead to additional projects or responsibilities that align more closely with your interests. Networking is also a strategic way to discover future job opportunities and learn from the experiences of others.

If your internship lacks challenging work, consider proposing a project that excites you and benefits the organization. Identify a need within the organization or patient community and develop a plan to address it. Self-initiating a project demonstrates your commitment, creativity, and leadership—qualities highly valued in patient advocacy. This proactive approach can transform your internship into a rewarding experience that stands out on your resume.

Take some time to reflect on your initial expectations for the internship. Consider what drew you to the opportunity, what skills or knowledge you hoped to gain, and what you envisioned the experience would be like. Compare these expectations to the reality of your internship experience.

Finally, use this internship as a learning opportunity, regardless of its shortcomings. Reflect on what the experience has taught you about the field of patient advocacy, workplace dynamics, and your own professional preferences. Even in less-than-ideal circumstances, you can gain insights that will inform your future career decisions. Embrace the challenges as part of your growth process and remember that every experience contributes to your development as a patient advocate.

Explore opportunities to tailor the internship experience to better align with your interests and goals. This could involve proposing new projects or tasks that align with your skills and interests, seeking out additional training or learning opportunities, or adjusting your responsibilities within the organization. Also, evaluate how the internship experience fits into your long-term career goals and aspirations. Consider whether the skills, knowledge, and experiences gained from the internship are still valuable, even if the overall experience is not meeting your initial expectations.