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Job question: Should I give it my all?

Derp

Derp

May 29, 2013
157
144
#1
Dear fellow TBers,

This is my first job. I am an intern at a local IT company. I work half time as a graphic designer. This was my first week. The first job they gave me was to create a 3D model for a game. I did. Had to fix a bunch of issues, but for someone who has relatively little experience with CAD it went super smooth. The next job, however, took me 2 work days and a couple hours this morning. My boss told me to create an "original and creative real estate website logo". He showed me a generic logo and told me to come up with something fresh. So for two days I tried to get away from the generic house or key images. After three different versions and like eight hours of work (ideation took some time and my computer is pretty slow, so large files take like three minutes to save). After I'd done this, he calls me and tells me that they are not very comprehensive. He was right, but it was his request to make it "unique". I show him a couple of nice, simple logos and ask if he would like something similar and he agrees.

So I created a bunch of newer logos this morning and sent them to him, he requested a couple changes and I did it in about an hour, but I have not sent the newest logos to him yet.
Heres why:
This is my first job, and although I'm not getting paid yet, I love that I finally have a job, and not just any job, but a job I love to do(I'm an artist). Although I prefer traditional mediums, I enjoy digital work too, and this is a huge opportunity to build experience and a decent portfolio. So I was very excited and worked non-stop, even did some three hours of work on a Saturday, as mentioned above.

I'm a little worried to come across as an extremely productive, over the top hard working guy, because I am just starting out professionally. I am afraid that if I come across like that, especially that I'm the youngest and the newest, I might become the one guy who gets all the work dumped on and not be able to deliver to the expectations.

Because you know how if a sloppy guy makes a mistake or fails a bunch of times, it's no big deal, because nobody expects him to be good. If an average guy misses a couple deadlines, it's somewhat forgivable, but when a hard working guy makes just one mistake, it's considered a disaster.

To what extent is this true? Can anyone please advise me on what to do and how to build my professional relationships? Thank you very much!

I would also like to thank the entire TB community for being awesome and kindly giving feedback to my questions. I post to the Off Topic section like ten times more than I do to the actual bass stuff. I have not made a bass post in almost a year. Thank you people.
 
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#2
Give it your all. You are an unpaid intern, so experience is what you are gaining. Take each assignment and do your best. When you get the reputation for somebody who can create quality and quantity, it will be easier for you to get a paying gig.

I do understand your concern, but you will not be there for long and I don't think you will get the reputation of somebody that can't meet the goals if you keep giving it your best.

At the same time, make sure you are not taking your work home with you. If the workload is too much for you to do during work hours, talk to your boss about it. Part of being an intern is learning how to become a professional, which your boss should help you with.
 
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#4
Of course, always give it your all. And this:

Bassball Fever said:
At the same time, make sure you are not taking your work home with you. If the workload is too much for you to do during work hours, talk to your boss about it. Part of being an intern is learning how to become a professional, which your boss should help you with.
Click to expand...

There are limits to everything and it's important to recognize them.

Why are you yelling for most of the second part of your post? I was scared until I saw this:

Derp said:
I post to the Off Topic section like ten times more than I do to the actual bass stuff.
Click to expand...

You fit right in.
 
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#5
Every job I've ever had, I've done my best to make myself as valuable an employee as possible. That means being ambitious and taking initiative, working hard and working efficiently and doing what I can to promote the interests of my employer.

That doesn't mean working so hard or so long that it endangers my health or infringes on what's important to me in my personal life.

I do expect that my work will be appreciated and rewarded. Anyone who works hard to become a valuable employee deserves appropriate compensation and if you aren't appreciated enough materially for your efforts then it's time to look elsewhere for a job.

Working as an intern is tough because you are presumably being compensated, at least in part, with the experience of working there, with the expectation that there will be a monetary payoff in the future.

I would never consider not working at my full potential to be an option. If my employer recognizes my value and appreciates me properly in return, then I'm satisfied. If not, then I move on.

In my opinion, nothing sucks the life out of an individual like working for an institution where you don't feel worthwhile enough to do more than show up and put in time doing the required minimum of work with the least amount of effort.
 
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#6
You're an intern, so your position is ephemeral. Yes, there's a good chance you'll get taken advantage of, especially if you show yourself eager to do work. However, since this is an ephemeral position and you're not setting a precedent with management that could last for years, I'd say suck it up for now and learn everything you can about your chosen career path. Once you have some experience and take your first "real" gig, you can have a little clout when management expects your to deliver miracles with two pieces of twine and an empty Coke can.
 
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#7
Immigrant said:
Of course, always give it your all. And this:



There are limits to everything and it's important to recognize them.

Why are you yelling for most of the second part of your post? I was scared until I saw this:



You fit right in.
Click to expand...
Haha. I assume by yelling you mean the bold lettering? I have highlighted the main part of the post explaining my concern. You see, people seem to be scared of long posts and not always read them.

Thanks for the input, by the way. Nice to see you again, Immigrant.
 
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#8
Derp said:
Haha. I assume by yelling you mean the bold lettering? I have highlighted the main part of the post explaining my concern. You see, people seem to be scared of long posts and not always read them.

Thanks for the input, by the way. Nice to see you again, Immigrant.
Click to expand...

Suggestion: Always put you most imporatant points first.
If you are concerned that someone will tire of reading before they finish, then get out what is most important before that happens.

Neither you or your employer know the extent of "your all."
Best to find out yourself what your all really is.
Doing any less is sandbagging.
How your boss perceives you, and how you take to his perception, especially early in your work career can impact you the rest of your life.
If you give your all and know it, even a boss who doesn't like you and tells you that are doing a lousy job, when you know you are doing a good job, will be easier to tolerate.
 
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#11
Never, and I mean EVER, look at anything with the "good enough" attitude.
You've got skills and talent. Use them to the utmost, and continue to blow them away.
The fastest way to a life of mediocrity, is to just skate by with doing the minimum.
You're obviously young, as this is is your first job. You are going to set the tone of the rest of your life right now.
Are you ok, with doing just ok? Or do you want to kick some ass, and live a life you can be proud of?

I envy you, the world is yours for the taking. So go take it! Make me proud son!
 
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#13
Derp said:
Dear fellow TBers,



I'm a little worried to come across as an extremely productive, over the top hard working guy, because I am just starting out professionally. I am afraid that if I come across like that, especially that I'm the youngest and the newest, I might become the one guy who gets all the work dumped on and not be able to deliver to the expectations.

Because you know how if a sloppy guy makes a mistake or fails a bunch of times, it's no big deal, because nobody expects him to be good. If an average guy misses a couple deadlines, it's somewhat forgivable, but when a hard working guy makes just one mistake, it's considered a disaster.

To what extent is this true? Can anyone please advise me on what to do and how to build my professional relationships? Thank you very much!

I would also like to thank the entire TB
Click to expand...

I think you have these scenarios completely backwards. In my experience the guy who works hard and delivers but occasionally screws up gets a pass because the bosses know the work he can do.

The guy who does a sloppy job and screws up all of the time gets fired. Don't be that guy.

Give it your all every day. An internship is really one big job interview. Work like you are trying to get a paid job.
 
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#14
Derp said:
Dear fellow TBers,

This is my first job. I am an intern at a local IT company. I work half time as a graphic designer. This was my first week. The first job they gave me was to create a 3D model for a game. I did. Had to fix a bunch of issues, but for someone who has relatively little experience with CAD it went super smooth. The next job, however, took me 2 work days and a couple hours this morning. My boss told me to create an "original and creative real estate website logo". He showed me a generic logo and told me to come up with something fresh. So for two days I tried to get away from the generic house or key images. After three different versions and like eight hours of work (ideation took some time and my computer is pretty slow, so large files take like three minutes to save). After I'd done this, he calls me and tells me that they are not very comprehensive. He was right, but it was his request to make it "unique". I show him a couple of nice, simple logos and ask if he would like something similar and he agrees.

So I created a bunch of newer logos this morning and sent them to him, he requested a couple changes and I did it in about an hour, but I have not sent the newest logos to him yet.
Heres why:
This is my first job, and although I'm not getting paid yet, I love that I finally have a job, and not just any job, but a job I love to do(I'm an artist). Although I prefer traditional mediums, I enjoy digital work too, and this is a huge opportunity to build experience and a decent portfolio. So I was very excited and worked non-stop, even did some three hours of work on a Saturday, as mentioned above.

I'm a little worried to come across as an extremely productive, over the top hard working guy, because I am just starting out professionally. I am afraid that if I come across like that, especially that I'm the youngest and the newest, I might become the one guy who gets all the work dumped on and not be able to deliver to the expectations.

Because you know how if a sloppy guy makes a mistake or fails a bunch of times, it's no big deal, because nobody expects him to be good. If an average guy misses a couple deadlines, it's somewhat forgivable, but when a hard working guy makes just one mistake, it's considered a disaster.

To what extent is this true? Can anyone please advise me on what to do and how to build my professional relationships? Thank you very much!

I would also like to thank the entire TB community for being awesome and kindly giving feedback to my questions. I post to the Off Topic section like ten times more than I do to the actual bass stuff. I have not made a bass post in almost a year. Thank you people.
Click to expand...
In the company I ran, people like that are now owners. Everyone makes mistakes. I always look for the folks who acknowledge them and learn from them. What I look for are people who don't look at themselves as working for the company, rather, people who see themselves as being the company. These are people who realize the company's success is their success. Unless you're working for a government agency, give it your all and then some.

In government agencies, go-getters are often seen as a threat - don't make the old-timers look bad. In companies that generate profit, anyone who helps achieve that is welcome. I always tried to hire people who are better at what they do than I am.
 
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#15
Kick ass while being an intern, just really try to impress. Get a paying gig and still kick ass. Mind you, this may not get you promoted, what gets you promoted is 85% up to how much the boss happens to like you in a general sort of way. Sad, but it seems to be true.

So, finding the right boss that appreciates you is probably a good long term goal instead of putting undue pressure on yourself by sticking around at the wrong place for way too long. (like I have done):dead:
 
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