That Intern We Fired in 3 Weeks

Hey Sid here,

You know I keep it real. Just stuff that actually work & I avoid the surface level crap that everyone is feeding.

Today's newletter issue would be highly important to anyone aspiring to become a software developer and who is willing to create their careers foundation and a lot of other software developers would be able to relate with this newsletter.

Okay, real talk. We're talking about internships & most importantly that shiny picture everyone paints about internships? "Land the role, soak up the training, and in 3-6 months – job offer & If you dont get a job letter or a PPO you get discouraged, right?

Well, I have been there. I was the clueless intern, then I Managed interns. Mentored them. And let me tell you: that dreamy picture? It’s setting you up to fail.

The biggest issue with interns I see isn’t about lacking skills. Nope. It’s something deeper, almost invisible: a mindset gap. An internship isn’t just resume glitter. It’s your first real shot at showing who you are professionally. And nailing it? It’s less about being the smartest person in the room, and more about something way more fundamental. Let me explain.

My Wake-Up Call: When "Learning" Met Reality

The Mentor Who Changed My Trajectory

When I was an intern, I was drowning in questions. What’s this field really about? What should I even be doing? I was hungry to understand.

Then I met my mentor, a engineering with over 2 dacades of experience. Patient. Grounded. He didn’t throw me at flashy frameworks. Instead, he burned one lesson into me:

"Fundamentals are everything Sid. Python libraries? New tools? They’re just abstractions built on top. Master the core systems beneath."

Working with him for 8 months rewired my brain. Suddenly, I saw coding differently. That foundation? It’s why I’m here today.

The Intern We Had to Let Go

I was mentoring an intern myself. We hired a talented guy. Smart. Contributed well. But in three weeks, things drifted.

He decided to not appear in team standups, didn't responded to my comments and messages and ghosted me.

Why? He got entitled of the position.

• Started silently applying elsewhere while on our payroll
• Demanded a PPO/full-time role within two weeks
• Assumed his talent meant we owed him guarantees

We had to fire him. It wasn’t about skill – it was that entitlement of his skils. A talented person, crashing hard because he prioritized demands over learning. That immature move? It’s why many lose golden opportunities.

That mindset? Destructive. The interns who grumbled about the "work culture" (often code for "they expect me to work")? They stalled. Some jumped from one company to another really fast, chasing a mythical "perfect" role. But, The ones who dug into the grind, however unsexy, who saw every task as a chance to prove they were reliable? They learned exponentially more. They built trust. They were the ones who walked away with skills, connections, and often, that coveted offer. The work was the training.

Your Internship Survival (and Thrival) Kit: 5 Raw Truths

Forget just surviving your internship. Let’s make you thrive. Based on my own screwing up, watching others screw up, and seeing what actually works, here’s your toolkit:

1. Professionalism = Your Brand. Period. This isn’t just "please" and "thank you" (though, use them!). It’s a fundamental mindset shift. You’re building your professional identity, brick by brick. How you write that email. How you show up (on time, mentally present). How you handle a boring task or a frustrating moment. It all screams, "This is who I am." Reliability, respect, owning your stuff, people notice this WAY more than a perfect test score. This is your foundation. Build it strong.
2. Work Ethic: Embrace the Grind (Seriously). This is the antidote to the entitlement trap. Your internship is your proving ground. Stop resenting the "work" part. You are inexperienced. You are there to learn. And the absolute fastest, most credible way to learn? By doing. Even the tedious stuff. Roll up your sleeves. Volunteer for the unglamorous. Show up, deliver accurately, meet deadlines. This builds immense trust. It shouts, "I’m serious. I’m reliable." That’s High agency!
3. Network more and more. This isn’t people pleasing. It’s genuine curiosity. Talk to people outside your tiny bubble. Ask real questions about their work. Show interest. Find a mentor – someone whose path resonates. Ask for 15 minutes: "I loved your work on X, how did you approach Y?" Most folks love helping someone eager. These connections? They unlock learning, advice, and future doors (yes, including that PPO!). Don’t be invisible.
4. Be Proactive: No one's gonna spoon feed you. Finished your task? Don’t just scroll. Ask, "What else can I take off your plate?" or "Is there something I can learn/shadow?" See a process that feels clunky? Politely ask, "Help me understand how this works?" Do some research. Bring a tiny, thoughtful idea. Initiative screams, "I’m invested!" It transforms you from a passive observer to a valued contributor.
5. Most IMP - Chase Growth, Not Just the PPO. Obsessing over the Pre-Placement Offer from Day 1? It backfires. Makes you anxious, maybe even seem transactional. Flip it. Pour your energy into learning deeply and adding real value. Master the skills. Build genuine relationships. Prove your work ethic and professionalism. Become someone the team can’t imagine losing. The PPO? It becomes the natural outcome. Focus on the foundation. The offer often follows.

Look, these five things – your professional identity, work ethic, network, proactivity, growth focus – they aren’t internship hacks. They’re your career foundation. Whether you land that PPO, launch a startup, or climb the ladder elsewhere, this core is everything. These have been the most practical and real things which no one tells today!

Until next time,

Sid.

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