r/internships • u/ComfortableAd3692 • Jul 13 '26
During the Internship I quit my internship
I see a lot of posts from people who are unhappy in their internships, and most of the comments tell them to just “suck it up” or stick with it because they’ll learn new skills.
I wanted to share a different perspective.
I recently graduated with a degree in marketing and accepted a marketing internship. After three weeks, I quit.
Toward the end of college, I started losing interest in marketing. The work began to feel repetitive, and I felt like I was just checking off tasks that consisted of building campaigns, creating content, nurturing leads, and chasing metrics—without finding much meaning in them. I know that’s the purpose of marketing, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, but I realized it just wasn’t for me. I wanted a career where I could feel more present and where I felt like I was directly helping people.
During those three weeks, I felt completely lost and uninterested. Every day made me feel more certain that I wasn’t on the right path, so I quit.
Do I regret it right now? No. Could I regret it in the future? Maybe.
For context, I’m not promoting laziness—I have a job, and I’m still figuring out my career. I also understand the value of internships and the opportunities they provide to learn and grow professionally. But if you know something truly isn’t for you, don’t force yourself to wake up every morning doing work that makes you unhappy. Sometimes walking away is what gives you the chance to find something that’s a better fit.
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u/ravenmortal Jul 13 '26
A different perspective- even if you reach an epiphany, a completed internship, especially with the existential struggle, shows commitment and determination. This is what employers are searching for when they read between the lines of thousands of resumes and employer references.
Quitting does not convey the right message.
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u/a_lexus_ren Jul 13 '26
This. Work isn't designed to be fun. OP basically quit their only opportunity so far (a commitment under three months) to cash in on their four-year diploma.
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u/Simon_think180 Jul 13 '26
Different people have different messages for different reasons.
One size does not fit all.
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u/ravenmortal Jul 13 '26
Not sure what you are trying to say here. But It is worth remembering that a recruiter or an ATS is going to preclude resumes before a candidate has a chance to tell their unique message or reason.
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u/Simon_think180 Jul 14 '26
You said 'quitting does not convey the right message'. My response is that recruiters and ATS are missing out because they can't read. The OP has realised they made a mistake, stood up to be counted and done something brave and positive. Brave an positive because they know that recruiters and ATS want people to make bad decisions and stay in roles they are not suitable for. Perhaps if recruiters and ATS were better able to understand, the OP would have felt the need to post this to demonstrate to others that sticking two fingers up to recruiters and ATS is possible. Insisting that people stay in roles to show 'grit and determination' is such poor advice. I hope that helps with your understanding.
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u/Dizzy_Internal_2783 Jul 13 '26
During my undergrad I quit an internship out of nowhere and still managed to get another internship during the following year. I also ended up working in tech 2 years post grad and ended up hitting $110k before leaving to start my MBA. Just here to say that quitting something that isn’t a fit isn’t the end of your career or your life lmao. DO YOU!
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u/DetectiveCatSwan Jul 13 '26
Please tell me how you get in internship. Internships in tech is so competitive these days 😭
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u/sunshinecrack252 Jul 13 '26
I'm in a summer undergrad research program and I do not enjoy it. However, I am still committed to completing it and doing the most I can out of it. Just remember that you were chosen because the employer had faith in you to make the most of the opportunity and you simply didn't. It is so difficult to obtain an internship and there were probably so many other candidates who would've completed the internship (even if the work isn't fulfiling). That internship didn't have to be your life story or career path, but it still could've taught you other valuable skills.
I would recommend not telling future employers about this experience and keep it to yourself if you do not want any possibility of them thinking you are not willing to commit to something. It's good you came to the conclusion you may not enjoy that line of work, but this same conclusion could be reached while still completing the internship.
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 13 '26
I completely respect your point of view. What I wrote was a fraction of my experience but truly there were other factors that contributed to my decision. But props to you for making the most out of your internship. Wishing you the best!
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u/Exotic-Original2809 Jul 13 '26
Doesn’t matter if you didn’t like it. Complete it and learn from the experience dude… There’s nothing you validated in your experience besides being a quitter, that marketing internship was leverage for better opportunities, you could have even asked to be put in different departments depending on the company. You just didn’t want to try lol admit it. And it means nothing if you have a “job” if it isn’t a boost in your career progression, I fear you may have cooked yourself. You gotta fix that quitter mindset, it’s not sucking it up to roll with things you don’t like and pivot with learning. All you did was burn bridges.
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 13 '26
Totally agree that you learn from every experience, but realizing something isn’t for you is also part of growth. My current job is still building my career just in a different direction.
But you’re right, I guess quitting one internship means I’m officially cooked. Ugh, tragic. I’ll somehow have to recover from this devastating setback. Thanks for that wake up call.
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u/Exotic-Original2809 Jul 13 '26
Nah you aren’t cooked, I just dramatized since I’m in CS so I have a different perspective. I’m in a FAANG adjacent company, as a swe intern this summer. Couldn’t imagine quitting tbh, seems risky in our market. Idk about marketing’s job market though.
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 13 '26
Trust me, I couldn’t imagine quitting either, but one day I just woke up and did it. It was definitely a YOLO moment. I have friends who are CS majors, so I completely understand where you’re coming from. Keep hustling, I’m sure you’ll achieve everything you’re working toward.
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u/Federal_Big_5263 Jul 13 '26
Your job is in a completely different field and your workplace experiences are also likely different, why are you providing advice based on your own path if it’s broadly irrelevant? Swe is incredibly cushy compared to most other white collar jobs. It’s easy to say suck it up when you’re in an environment where you don’t really have to suck it up.
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u/Exotic-Original2809 Jul 13 '26
That’s what I said, besides your passage’s ending it didn’t really make sense. Maybe elaborate?
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u/Federal_Big_5263 Jul 13 '26
You’re assuming there was something to learn from the internship or that it could be used as leverage for something like being put on a different department, but this didn’t happen because of lack of trying. Not all jobs are like that. Be happy that you’re in SWE where most jobs currently are, but be mindful that your industry is not an accurate sample of the job market population.
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u/Exotic-Original2809 Jul 13 '26
Ah, you make a really good point actually. Even still I’d say to not burn bridges, there’s still HR, Finance, or what ever else areas of the company OP could have went to or networked with. I don’t think that’s a job quantity issue there.
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u/Sukiyakki Jul 13 '26
you quit after 3 weeks into a temporary position.. your life isnt cooked obviously but like this is not good advice for anyone
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u/ctierra512 Junior Jul 13 '26
i mean i guess just be glad you’re in marketing, im in journalism and if i did this it would probably ruin my career lol
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u/buyingbusiness Jul 14 '26
Quitting 3 weeks in is not the greatest move, but I completely understand. I was recently interning in an HR position at a construction company and genuinely hated it. It’s a great company and all, but I was not aligned with the work I was doing and honestly was not a cultural fit there. I got disciplined for falling short of expectations, which made the experience worse. Waking up every day to go there caused me so much anxiety to the point of my body having physical reactions. I still pushed through to finish the semester out because it looks better on a resume and doesn’t burn too many bridges. You never know who you’ll run into throughout your career and they’ll only remember you for their experience with you. With that being said, just don’t make a habit of this and you should be fine. Good luck to you and congratulations on graduating!
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 14 '26
Wow, I’m sorry to hear that. I know how hard it is to wake up with anxiety and still feel like you have to meet someone else’s expectations. I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone. I’m glad you were able to push through it regardless. I really appreciate you sharing your perspective. This was my first time ever quitting, and I definitely don’t plan on making a habit of it. I hope you were able to find something that aligns better with who you are. Wishing you nothing but the best.
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u/urntsmrt Jul 14 '26
Did you quit marketing to do something you liked better? Or did you quit a field that can make you solid money for a dead end job because you didnt love it? Some times its better to suck it up and do whats best for your future even if not for forever.
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u/Equal_Grocery_2214 Jul 13 '26
How did u know I was crying about my marketing internship
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 13 '26
That’s why I had to post this. There’s not enough people who talk about it and are honest.
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u/Equal_Grocery_2214 Jul 14 '26
I stand with you. I quit my first internship too. 100% worth it. Led me to the one I’m crying over now😃
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u/Federal_Big_5263 Jul 13 '26
The comments here are crazy… we don’t live in a communist dictatorship where you’re forced to work a job you don’t care for. As long as you have some way to provide for yourself as you move to the next opportunity, it is not just fine but probably the best idea to hop ship out of a job that makes your life miserable. There’s never been so many opportunities to make money and locking yourself into a low paying job you don’t care for is silly
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 13 '26
THIS!! Thanks for sharing this. I’ve been seeing so many people act like it’s the end of the world if you don’t have certain experiences or skills right away. The most important thing is having a Plan B and some form of income that allows you to get by while you figure things out. I’m not denying that the job market is absolutely terrible right now. I’m just saying there are still options, and you shouldn’t limit yourself. Sometimes walking away from an opportunity also means trusting that another one will come. It won’t be easy, and it may take time, but if you keep putting yourself out there, more opportunities will eventually come.
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Jul 14 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/ComfortableAd3692 Jul 14 '26
I know that feeling. I experienced the same thing as well. Do whatever you feel is right for you in this moment.
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u/Dear-Point-2756 Jul 14 '26
I am right now in an internship in java development and it's been like 1.5 month and started finding my intership very hard it's very confusing makes me question my entire decision and i always thought I loved java until I start to springboot framework and it's end of me 😭....should I quit as well
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u/Candid-Measurement37 Jul 14 '26
If I was unhappy I couldn’t quit because my college paid my internship in full (therefore Id have to pay my college back) luckily Im not unhappy just uncomfortable. I have been doing lots of work where I have to be a leader and sure its draining but its always rewarding. Simply quitting it would mean I was giving up on myself so Im glad Im pushing through!
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u/Beautiful-Damage750 Jul 14 '26
Hey ik the people in the comments are saying that this is a big deal but come on man , do what makes you happy. Dont stay at a place where youre not.
Find what job role u wanna do and proceed to do that.
You have a long life ahead to figure out stuff , dont worry.
Find what makes you happy and take your time
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u/Pure-Charity6776 Jul 15 '26
Everything’s first internship sucks. Sometimes you just have to work through it.
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u/BigRedNole Jul 15 '26
I am not in the lines of getting a degree in Marketing and then finding it boring. Kind of put the cart before the house there
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u/Careless-Corgi-8122 Jul 15 '26
i had an internship then they asked me to drop some classes so i can work 40 hours. I quit after that and put my name back out there and got multiple offers within 2 weeks from companies more than willing to work with my schedule and got a $7 raise and promotion within 3 weeks of being at the new company. Always do what you think is right you will either learn from it or be grateful u left when u did. Best of luck
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u/Swimming_Guitar_926 Jul 15 '26
Ooo I hated marketing internship. Quitting was the best decision ever
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u/ksmskdodmaosm Jul 16 '26
Why would u quit? I just hope ur current job is better. Having a job isnt just to enjoy it.
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u/Neat_Blacksmith_7900 Jul 17 '26
Well at least you get an internship but I don’t have any email back for me i feel pretty bad to em
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u/koreanstudy Jul 18 '26
ah i’m the opposite. i have a degree in teaching english as a foreign language & realised i don’t enjoy teaching, want to go into marketing lol.
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u/microgem Jul 13 '26
TLDR: you quit marketing to flip burgers