Myth-busting Summer Internships: 5 Internship Myths You Should Stop Believing

– Isabelle K., Marketing Intern

If you’re thinking about applying for a summer internship, you’ve probably heard a lot about what to expect. Maybe you’ve been warned that you’ll spend your days just getting coffee, that you won’t get paid, or that an internship won’t actually help you land a job after graduation.

The problem? A lot of the advice surrounding internships is based on outdated stereotypes rather than reality.

At Corporate Tools, interns are encouraged to take on meaningful work, learn from experienced teammates, and become part of the larger team. That approach is guided by more than 15 company principles that shape how we work and grow together.

Since starting my internship, I quickly realized this experience wasn’t anything like the misconceptions I’ve heard before. Here are five internship myths that deserve to be busted.

#1: “I’ll Just be Getting Coffee all Summer”

Sure, coffee might be responsible for getting a few of us through those early mornings, but that’s about where the stereotype ends.

One of the biggest internship myths is that you’ll spend your summer running errands or sitting on the sidelines while everyone else does the real work. In reality, interns at Corporate Tools are trusted with projects that make an impact on the business and the people we serve. Depending on the role, that might mean:

• Developing and improving software
• Designing graphics
• Writing creative content
• Supporting the employee experience

Overall, we are collaborating on projects that directly impact the business. We’re treated as contributors, not spectators, with mentors and teammates who are there to help us learn along the way. That’s where two of Corporate Tools’ core principles, Push and Support and Level Up, come into play.

Push and Support means interns are given the opportunity to stretch beyond their comfort zones while knowing they have the guidance and encouragement to learn along the way. We’re trusted to try new approaches, take on challenges, and even stumble along the way without being afraid to ask for help or to try again. Level Up is about continuously raising the bar and doing better work that moves everyone forward.

Every project is an opportunity to make meaningful progress, whether that’s improving a skill, finding a better way to solve a problem, or contributing to an outcome that makes a real difference. For example, while working on a website redesign, I ran into a problem I didn’t know how to solve: I needed to create a link that would automatically pre-select an option for users. I didn’t know how to do it on my own, so I reached out to another team for guidance. With their help, I learned how to use a specialized link to make the user experience easier. It was a small but meaningful reminder that I didn’t have to know how to do everything before I started. I just had to be willing to ask questions, learn from others, and figure it out along the way.

Together, these principles are part of what makes this internship about growth rather than simply checking tasks off a list. You don’t need to know everything on day one. You just need to be willing to stretch yourself, learn from the process, and keep pushing toward your next level.

#2: “I Need the Perfect Resume to Get in”

It’s easy to look at an internship posting and think, “There’s no way I’m qualified enough for this.” Maybe your resume doesn’t have a long list of leadership positions or relevant experience. It’s a common feeling, and one that keeps people from applying.

The truth is, internships are meant to help you gain experience. You shouldn’t have to prove that you already have it all figured out.

At Corporate Tools, that starts with the application itself. Instead of asking for a resume, our internship application starts with a cover letter. A resume can show what you’ve done or what you’ve studied. Yet it doesn’t always explain why you’re interested in the opportunity or what you could bring to the role. A cover letter gives you the chance to share your story, explain what motivates you, and show how you approach challenges.

When I think about that application process, I keep coming back to one of Corporate Tools’ principles: “Why” Is More Important Than “What.” This principle is about understanding the reason behind what you’re doing instead of simply completing a task. In the application process, that means looking beyond a list of qualifications to understand the person behind them. Your experience matters, but so does your motivation, your perspective, and your reason for wanting the opportunity in the first place.

And the opportunity to grow doesn’t stop once you’re selected. Throughout the 12 weeks, interns have built-in professional development opportunities that help build the skills needed for whatever comes next, including:

• Resume workshops
• LinkedIn profile reviews
• Interview preparation

One of the sessions I found most useful focused on LinkedIn. Before that, I struggled with how to effectively use the platform and present myself professionally. After learning practical tips and best practices, I went home and immediately put them into action, updating my profile based on what I had learned that day. They were small changes but the experience was helping me build skills that I could use beyond my internship.

Together, these workshops reinforce the idea that an internship is a place to build your skills, not a test of whether you’ve already mastered them. You don’t need a perfect resume to take the first step. You just need to be willing to share your why.

#3: “I Need to Meet Every Ask Before I Apply”

Maybe your resume looks great. You have relevant experience, and you’ve put together an application you’re proud of. But then you read through the qualifications and realize you don’t meet every single one. Suddenly, you’re wondering if you should apply at all. You’re definitely not alone. It’s easy to stare at a long list of requirements and focus on the things you lack rather than your capacity to learn and grow into the role.

The truth is, employers know interns are still learning. A qualification might describe the ideal candidate, but that doesn’t mean every applicant has to match the description. They’re looking for people who are curious, willing to learn, and excited to take on new challenges. After all, if you already knew everything listed then there wouldn’t be much left to learn.

For interns, that mindset is reflected in one of Corporate Tools’ core principles, Freedom Not Fear. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up, experiment, and take initiative without being afraid of getting something wrong. That means having the freedom to ask questions, try something new, and take on challenges that may be outside of your comfort zone. You’re encouraged to take initiative and learn through the process, not wait until you have everything figured out.

To be honest, before I applied for this internship, I wasn’t sure I was qualified enough. I found myself comparing my experience to what I thought other applicants would bring to the table and wondering if I had enough to offer. But I applied anyway. Looking back, I realize the hardest part wasn’t meeting every qualification. It was believing I had enough potential to apply in the first place. I didn’t need to arrive with everything figured out. I just needed to be willing to learn, grow, and give myself the chance to see what I was capable of.

4: “My Major Determines my Career”

It can feel like choosing a major means choosing the rest of your life. For instance, if you’re studying accounting, becoming an accountant might seem like the obvious next step. For many of us, the path isn’t nearly as clear. Majors like Communications or Business can lead to countless career paths, making it difficult to know which direction is right for you.

The reality is that careers are rarely that straightforward. The skills you develop in college can transfer across industries and roles, and an internship can help you discover where those skills fit. You might explore a department you never considered before, work on a project that introduces you to a new career path, or discover that something you thought you’d enjoy isn’t actually the right fit. All of those experiences can help you make more informed decisions about where you want to go next.

That long-term perspective is at the heart of Play the Long Game, one of Corporate Tools’ core principles. It’s about making decisions today with the future in mind. An internship isn’t just another line on your resume or a way to fill a summer. It’s an opportunity to build skills, develop relationships, and gain experiences that can continue to shape your career long after the internship ends.

One of the most valuable parts of my internship has been the opportunity to explore different areas of the company and see where my skills and interests fit. I’ve had conversations with people across different marketing teams and even had the chance to learn more about other departments. Those conversations have given me a better understanding of the different career paths available to me and helped me think more intentionally about where my interests could take me. I may not have every part of my career figured out yet, but I’ve gained a better understanding of what I enjoy, what I’m good at, and what I want to keep exploring. My major may have helped point me in a direction, but it doesn’t have to determine where I end up.

#5: “Internships Can’t Actually be Fun”

Before starting my internship, I imagined long days, awkward introductions, and counting down the hours until the workday ended. I expected it to feel like the first week of a new semester, when you’re still getting comfortable and waiting for things to feel familiar. I knew the experience would be valuable for my future, but I didn’t expect to feel so connected to the people, the work, and the experience itself.

I have learned that those things aren’t mutually exclusive. I’ve had the opportunity to learn new skills, contribute to meaningful projects, and take on challenges that push me to grow. I’ve also had plenty of reasons to look forward to coming to work. From intern trivia competitions and summer barbecues to escape rooms and company events, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with the people around me outside of day-to-day work.

That combination of growth, teamwork, and enjoyment is at the center of This Is Our Sport, one of Corporate Tools’ core principles. It means approaching work with the same energy, excitement, and teamwork that you would bring to a sport you love. We’re encouraged to challenge ourselves, celebrate wins, learn from setbacks, and support the people around us. Work isn’t meant to feel like something you simply endure. It’s something you can take pride in and enjoy along the way. I’ve seen that spirit in the everyday moments of my internship, too. Whether it’s laughing with another intern after a long day, celebrating when a project comes together, or working through a challenge with my mentor, the people around me have made a real difference in my time here.

One of my favorite memories so far was the intern Spokane scavenger hunt. We spent the day running around downtown in the blazing July heat, solving riddles and recording funny moments along the way. It may have been just one afternoon away from our usual work, but it reminded me how much the people around you can shape your experience. There’s something special about working toward a shared goal, laughing when things don’t go as planned, and celebrating when you come out on top together.

I expected to gain professional experience this summer, but I’ve gained something I didn’t expect: friendships, memories, and a better understanding of what it feels like to be part of a team. An internship can challenge you and help you grow without making you count down the minutes until the day is over.

More Than Just a Summer Job

Before this internship, I assumed being an intern would simply be a way to gain experience in-between graduation and looking for a full-time job. Now, I see it as so much more than that.

Our internship program can give you the chance to:

• Build skills you didn’t have when you started.
• Discover what kind of work you enjoy.
• Gain confidence in what you’re capable of.
• Learn from mentors and teammates who want to see you grow.
• Build relationships that stay with you beyond the summer.

Your experience might look different from mine. Maybe you’ll spend your summer writing code, creating videos, designing graphics, building programs, analyzing data, or solving problems behind the scenes. You might discover a career path you never expected, or gain a clearer understanding of the one you were already pursuing. No two internships are exactly alike, and that’s part of what makes them so valuable.

For me, this summer has been about more than adding experience to my resume. I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to meaningful work, learn from people who have challenged and supported me, and become part of a team that made me excited to show up each day. I’ve grown in ways I expected and in ways I didn’t see coming. I’ve built new skills, gained confidence by taking on challenges outside of my comfort zone, and developed a better understanding of the work I enjoy and the kind of team I want to be part of moving forward.

Over the past four years, interns have joined teams across Corporate Tools, and nine have gone on to accept full-time positions after graduation. Whether an internship leads to a full-time role or simply helps you better understand where you want to go next, the experience is an investment in your future.

If you’re thinking about applying for an internship, don’t let the myths make the decision for you. You don’t need a perfect resume, a clear career path, or every qualification checked off before you begin. Sometimes the best way to discover what you’re capable of is to give yourself the opportunity to find out.

An internship may only last a summer, but what you learn, who you meet, and the confidence you gain can stay with you for much longer.