Is it normal that interns and working students get assigned the tasks no one else wants to do?

[Anonymous]

Or does it mean my supervisors don't trust that I could do more complex and/or interesting tasks because I come off as stupid? I could of course ask them directly but they would never be honest with me because they are too nice. I feel like they hardly give me any work and if they do it's just simple tedious stuff that every monkey could do

Yes normal unfortunately

No it means they consider you incompetent

Depends

[MrOracle]

You didn't say how long the internship was for, but, GENERALLY, yes, interns get assigned the crap work that no one else wants to do and/or that would cost a lot more to have the higher-skilled people do.

A part of having an intern is to see how people respond to doing this work. People who can't do that job will be revealed. People who whine and complain about doing work that is "beneath them" will be revealed. People who dive in and get the work done without complaining, and who do it competently, will also be revealed.

Clearly not every company is as good at evaluating people on their merits as others, but overall, the people who do well as an intern tend to be the people who are later given offers to become regular employees - and those who don't, don't.

[Asker]

Working students contracts are at least a year and most of them work 10 to 20 hours a week

[MrOracle]

Okay. Some places may have a mid-point evaluation, and others may wait until the term is about over. Not sure if you ultimately want to work there or not, but if you do well, you'll probably be extended an offer - assuming they're hiring at all. They may not be given the economy. Hope for lots of MAGA voters, because another 4 years of Biden may put the whole country out of work.

[Pohjolan]

Pretty much, cleaning, carrying heavy stuff, dirty jobs, etc. However once you have done a enough good job on those you will start getting more responsibility.

Also "what other's don't want to do" is contextual. Like in my last summer job I got to drive the bridge crane a lot. While its easier than a lot of other jobs you have more responsibility as you could kill someone if you screw up.

[Asker]

but i didn't get more responsibility. is it possible they just didn't have any tasks for me anymore at one point or rather unlikely?

[Pohjolan]

What makes you think that I would know your employers better than you do?

[Asker]

Im talking about likelihood based on your own experience

[Pohjolan]

Don't dwell on it. Put up a stiff upper lip and go towards new disappointments.

[Asker]

so you think its more likely that i didn't perform well?

[Pohjolan]

On average? No I don't actually. Interns and trainees are not expected to have a perfect run in a new job.
Did you do anything like making walking bridge come loose with a hydraulic crane or remove bolts from supporting beams before the weight they were supporting was lifted or dropping a heavy vacuum cleaner from the fourth floor?

[IslaTheWitch]

Interns generate no income for the company. They eat the time of more experienced people. It's natural they will be given tasks which will decrease the burden of more profitable employees.

At least in our company, the working students are trained (in our department it's my responsibility), but still, they do things we have no time for...

[Asker]

What if a student is just not smart enough for the tasks?

[IslaTheWitch]

then we decrease the complexity until it matches their ability to solve it.

[Asker]

what if thats not possible? do you just tell him to chill?

[IslaTheWitch]

It's always possible. You can cut the task into smaller parts and reach a level of complexity that matches the abilities of the person in question.

[exitseven]

Yes, shit always rolls downhill.

[Asker]

Even if the student is capable and smart?

[exitseven]

Yes, everybody has to start somewhere. You are not special.

[Asker]

I afraid they consider me special as in too dumb for everything because they hardly assign me any tasks

[exitseven]

Pay attention and learn about the job. Show initiative and consider this position a real great experience.

[Asker]

You think I might be right, dont you?