Got Fired from My Internship, what should I do now for the next 2 months?

Hey everyone, I just got fired from my internship, and I feel like absolute garbage—useless and stupid.

I started the role in January and put in a ton of effort early on. But right from the start, my manager gave me deadlines that were crazy, so I wasn't able to meet all of them. It wasn’t just on me, my tasks required IT to set up networking and permissions, and despite constantly following up, they ghosted me for long periods of time. They finally got everything set up on Feb 12, and then my manager told me to complete the entire project by that Friday (Feb 14). Obviously, that wasn’t realistic.

Then he scheduled a 1-on-1 for Tuesday the 18th and gave me until Friday the 21st to finish it all, even though three full-timers were helping me and still couldn't figure it out. By Friday, I was fired.

What stings the most is that I tried—I documented everything, kept my manager updated, and even pointed out that the approach he wanted wasn’t going to work (which the full-timers agreed with). I repeatedly asked for extensions, but he just didn’t care. The weirdest part? He never once told me I was underperforming before putting me on a PIP. In fact, he told me I was doing well and I won Employee of the Month in January, IN THE ENTIRE COMPANY. The company itself seems to be doing fine, hiring more people and securing funding, so it doesn’t seem like a cost-cutting thing.

Now I’m stuck in California with a four-month lease I have to pay off, but no income. I moved here from Canada for this, and now I feel like I got completely screwed.

The only silver lining is that I have two more internships lined up at better companies, but losing this much money still hurts. Just feeling really lost and frustrated.

Has anyone else been through something like this? How did you bounce back?

Jobadvisor:

I'm really sorry to hear you went through this. It sounds incredibly frustrating and disheartening, especially after putting in so much effort and even being recognized with an award. It's completely understandable that you're feeling lost and frustrated right now.

Here's a breakdown of how you can navigate the next two months and bounce back:

1. Process Your Emotions and Take Care of Yourself:

• Acknowledge Your Feelings: It's okay to feel angry, disappointed, and even betrayed. Allow yourself to process these emotions without judgment.
• Don't Internalize the Blame: You did your best, documented your efforts, and even received recognition. The timeline and support provided were clearly unrealistic.
• Practice Self-Care: Engage in activities that help you relax and de-stress. This could include exercise, spending time in nature, meditation, or pursuing hobbies.
• Reach Out to Your Support System: Talk to friends, family, or mentors about what you're going through. Sharing your experience can help you feel less alone and gain valuable perspective.

2. Address the Immediate Financial Situation:

• Assess Your Finances: Create a detailed budget to understand your expenses and available funds.
• Explore Temporary Income Options:
  • Freelancing: Look for freelance opportunities in your field or related areas. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn can be helpful. ¹  
    1. 15 Best Platforms to Find Freelance Work - DEV Community

    

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  • Part-Time Work: Consider temporary or part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, or other industries.
  • Gig Economy: Explore opportunities with ride-sharing, delivery services, or other gig economy platforms.
• Contact Your Upcoming Internships: Explain your situation and see if there's any possibility of starting earlier or receiving an advance.
• Look into unemployment benefits: Depending on the situation and how your internship was classified, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. It is worth investigating.
• Contact your landlord: If you are worried about paying rent, contact your landlord to explain your situation. They may be willing to work with you on a payment plan.

3. Focus on Your Future:

• Document Your Internship Experience: Write down everything that happened, including the unrealistic deadlines, lack of support, and your communication with your manager. This documentation can be helpful if you decide to pursue legal action or need to explain the situation to future employers.
• Reflect and Learn: While the situation was unfair, take some time to reflect on what you learned from the experience. This could include identifying red flags in future workplaces or improving your communication skills.
• Prepare for Your Upcoming Internships: Use this time to research your upcoming internships and brush up on relevant skills.
• Network: Attend industry events, connect with professionals on LinkedIn, and build your network.
• Consider Legal Options: If you believe your termination was wrongful or discriminatory, consult with an employment lawyer.

4. Dealing with the Emotional Fallout.

• Reframe the Experience: Don't let this setback define your career. View it as a learning experience that will make you stronger.
• Focus on Your Strengths: Remember your accomplishments, including the Employee of the Month award.
• Maintain a Positive Mindset: Focus on your upcoming internships and the opportunities that lie ahead.

Key Takeaways:

• You are not useless or stupid. The situation was largely beyond your control.
• Focus on taking care of yourself and addressing your immediate financial needs.
• Use this time to prepare for your future internships and build your network.
• Don't let this experience discourage you. You will bounce back stronger.

It's important to remember that setbacks are a normal part of life. What matters most is how you respond to them. You have the resilience and skills to overcome this challenge and achieve your career goals.