TIG #30: A Day in The Life of the 2025 Intern
Day-in-the-Life Stories from Real Interns—What to Expect, What You’ll Learn, and How to Make the Most of It
Hey future intern!
If you’re gearing up for your first internship or considering which offer to accept, you’ve probably wondered: What does a day in the life of an intern really look like? Beyond the glossy program brochures and LinkedIn announcements, what’s it like to show up, contribute, and learn in a real-world workplace?
This edition of The Internship Guy dives deep into authentic intern experiences—across industries, cultures, and continents—offering you a realistic view of what to expect and how to thrive.
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Morning: From Commute to Kickoff—Setting the Tone
For many interns, the day starts with a commute that can be as much a learning experience as the work itself. Whether you’re navigating the bustling subways of Shanghai, enjoying a relaxed breakfast in Madrid, or logging in remotely from your apartment, those first moments set the tone for the day. Interns abroad often find themselves immersed in a new culture from the moment they step outside, grabbing a local coffee and pastry, and soaking in the rhythm of a new city. In contrast, others might relish the extra time to catch up on news or FaceTime family before heading to the office, especially if their internship offers a later start or remote flexibility.
Once at the office, the first hour is typically dedicated to settling in: checking emails, reviewing the day’s agenda, and touching base with supervisors or teammates. In some companies, this means joining a morning stand-up meeting—an opportunity to align on priorities and ask questions. In others, it’s an informal check-in, perhaps over coffee, where you can get a feel for the team’s culture and expectations. Interns quickly learn that every organization has its own rhythm and unwritten rules, from the casual camaraderie of a Latin American office to the focused, individualistic vibe of a Shanghai marketing firm.
Midday: Diving Into Real Work—Projects, Collaboration, and Growth
As the day progresses, interns transition from orientation to action. The bulk of an intern’s day is spent on meaningful, often challenging tasks that go far beyond making coffee or filing paperwork. In fact, research and first-hand accounts show that today’s top internship programs are designed to immerse interns in real projects with tangible impact.
For example, marketing interns might find themselves designing promotional materials, brainstorming campaign ideas, or even attending client meetings and photoshoots. Communications interns could be drafting press releases, monitoring media coverage, or preparing stakeholder reports. In tech or finance, you might be writing code, analyzing data, or collaborating on a team project that will live on after your internship ends. At leading firms like Two Sigma, interns are matched with a mentor and given ownership of a summer-long project, with the expectation that their work will make a real difference to the company.
Collaboration is a recurring theme. Whether you’re working in a cross-functional team, shadowing a senior employee, or bouncing ideas off your fellow interns, you’ll be exposed to a range of working styles and perspectives. Many programs also incorporate job shadowing or speed networking sessions, giving you a window into different departments and helping you build a broader professional network. These activities aren’t just resume-builders—they’re opportunities to discover what roles and environments excite you most.
Lunch is more than just a meal in many workplaces. In cities like Madrid, interns often join colleagues for a leisurely lunch that blends work talk with personal stories, strengthening bonds and offering insight into local customs. In other places, lunch might be a quick break at your desk or a chance to connect with other interns in a communal space. Regardless of the setting, these moments are valuable for networking and learning the informal side of professional life.
Afternoon: Tackling Challenges and Building Resilience
The afternoon often brings the most demanding tasks. As energy dips, interns are encouraged to push through and tackle complex projects, whether that means analyzing a difficult dataset, coordinating with international teams, or presenting findings to senior leaders. This is where the real growth happens. Interns consistently report that the most memorable parts of their experience are the challenges that stretched them outside their comfort zone.
For some, this means adapting to a fast-paced environment with shifting deadlines, as is common in Latin American and startup cultures. For others, it’s learning to navigate a quiet, heads-down office where initiative and self-direction are prized. Across the board, the ability to ask questions, seek feedback, and learn from mistakes is crucial. Interns who embrace the learning curve—rather than fearing it—emerge with sharper skills and greater confidence.
Mentorship plays a key role in this phase. Many top programs pair interns with a dedicated mentor or supervisor who provides guidance, answers questions, and helps troubleshoot challenges. These relationships can be transformative, offering both professional advice and personal encouragement. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your mentor or team members when you’re stuck—internships are designed to be learning experiences, and asking for help is a sign of engagement, not weakness.
After Work: Networking, Reflection, and Fun
The learning doesn’t stop when the workday ends. Many companies organize after-work events, from casual happy hours to formal networking sessions, where interns can meet employees from other departments and build lasting connections. Social outings—like food tours, city adventures, or even Broadway musicals at firms like Two Sigma—offer a chance to unwind and experience the local culture.
Reflection is an often-overlooked but vital part of the intern experience. Whether it’s jotting down what you learned each day, debriefing with a mentor, or simply chatting with fellow interns about your highs and lows, taking time to process your experiences helps solidify your learning and clarify your career goals. Many interns discover new interests—or rule out certain paths—based on these daily reflections.
What Interns Say: Real Stories and Key Takeaways
Across industries and continents, interns consistently highlight a few themes:
Meaningful Work: The best internships give you real responsibility and the chance to contribute to projects that matter. Interns at marketing firms, tech companies, and government agencies alike report feeling valued when their work has a visible impact.
Skill Development: Internships are accelerators for both hard and soft skills. Whether it’s mastering data analysis, sharpening communication, or learning to manage time and adapt to feedback, the learning curve is steep but rewarding.
The Value of Mistakes: Fear of making mistakes is common, especially in high-stakes or client-facing roles. But as many interns discover, mistakes are a natural part of the process—and often the best teachers. Supportive supervisors encourage interns to try, fail, and learn, building resilience and confidence for the future.
Networking and Relationships: Building relationships with colleagues, mentors, and fellow interns is one of the most valuable parts of the experience. These connections often lead to future opportunities and provide a support system for navigating the professional world.
Personal Growth: Internships aren’t just about building a resume—they’re about discovering what kind of work, environment, and culture suit you best. Many interns finish their programs with a clearer sense of their career goals and a newfound confidence in their abilities.
Tips to Maximize Your Internship Experience
Be Proactive: Seek out projects, ask for feedback, and volunteer for tasks outside your comfort zone. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out.
Build Relationships: Take advantage of networking events, mentorship programs, and informal conversations. Your next opportunity could come from a connection you make this summer.
Reflect and Adapt: Keep a journal or notes on what you’re learning, what excites you, and what challenges you. Use this insight to guide your future choices.
Embrace Challenges: Don’t shy away from difficult tasks or new experiences. Growth happens at the edge of your comfort zone.
Ask Questions: No one expects you to know everything. Curiosity and a willingness to learn are among the most valued traits in an intern.
Balance Work and Life: Make time for social events, exploration, and self-care. A well-rounded experience will leave you energized and inspired.
Conclusion: Your Internship, Your Story
A day in the life of an intern is never just about the tasks on your to-do list. It’s about stepping into the real world, building relationships, overcoming challenges, and discovering who you want to become. Whether you’re working in a bustling city abroad, a quiet corporate office, or a cutting-edge tech firm, the lessons you learn will shape your career—and your life—for years to come.
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So as you embark on your internship journey, remember: Every day is a new opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Be present, be curious, and make the most of every moment. Your future self will thank you.
Best regards,
Don
The Internship Guy