“Unacheza na Kazi…..” 3 Horrible Things I Went Through During My Internship From ‘Hell’

By: Anonymous Intern,

I have never in my life wished to be an intern with all the horrid experiences interns had to go through!

However I changed my mind after reading an inspirational story by KTN top investigative reporter Muhammad Ali on his success story.

He had agreed to serve as an intern for almost two years in a leading national broadcasting station without pay so who was I to say no?

After completing my college with a diploma in mass communication I was introduced to a local radio station by the name Pamoja FM to pursue my career.

This is what I had to go through working on the station.

1. The internship was unpaid.

Can you imagine in these tough economic times you work yourself to death and receive no pay at the end of the month? I had to commute from my home to my supposed place of work with my parents support of course.

The management could not even consider paying me a small allowance to cater for my transport and lunch.

I was required to be at the office by 6.30 in the morning and leave at 6.30 in the evening (peak hour with the bus fare issue)

Asking money from my folks (yet I wake up early going to work) was a normal embarrassing encounter I had to deal with each day.

2. Constant intimidation and harassment

Since my work entailed news writing and reporting, I was assigned to all the donkey work. I was new and prone to mistakes because that is so normal.

The senior employed staff would not cease for a moment reminding me how “lucky” I was being offered a chance for an internship yet there are many others seeking the golden opportunity.

“Unacheza na kazi na watu wengine wanatafuta hii chance na hawapati,(you are joking around with work yet others seek it) was the response whenever I made a small error.

3. All your hard earned credit is given to someone else

The less important stories such as a group of women forming a chama to help the community were assigned to me.

And if at all I happened to identify a good story, someone else would be assigned and woe unto me if I ever dreamt about them appreciating my efforts.

Being a reporter, searching for news was one of my jobs. I would report to the 0ffice at 6.30 only to find some “senior reporter” as she liked to call herself sipping a cup of tea.

“Here is the recorder go look for news that is credible,” she would mumble.

And to my surprise I would go out in the field and come back with a very good story.

But all that harassment and intimidation, I was able to learn several valuable lessons from that internship from hell.

First I got a lot of exposure. I would wake up each day with my recorder and come up with a story the audience would love. This boosted my creativity which I apply up to now in my current job.

Secondly, with them overworking me, it somehow pushed me to become a better and more hardworking person in life.

Thirdly, the constant pressure and harassment gave me an important virtue in life which is patience and perseverance.

Accommodating people regardless of their background or upbringing is not an easy task but I can do it thanks to my internship.

Fourth it opened many opportunities for me because I gained enough skills and knowledge that I needed.

For an intern who is going through the same predicament, you may never know that this is actually a blessing in disguise.

Not only will it open your career opportunities, but it will teach you valuable lessons in life.

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