Let’s be real, internships aren’t all the same. Some give you that dream experience: shadowing professionals, learning side-by-side with experts, and soaking up knowledge like a sponge. But others? You show up and quickly realize… no one else actually knows how to do the thing you were hired for.
Suddenly, you’re not just the intern, you’re the expert. You’ve been brought in to build the database, launch the social media campaign, or shoot the documentary… solo. It’s still a learning experience, but you’re figuring it out on your own as you go.
If that sounds familiar, don’t panic. You’re not alone, and this post is here to help you turn that wide-open project into a meaningful, skill-building success.
P.S. There’s a free worksheet that goes with this post! If you’re in one of these solo-project internships, grab the companion planner to help you stay focused, build skills, and reflect on your experience along the way. Jump to it ⬇️
You landed an internship, congrats! But instead of being part of a well-structured cohort with clear tasks, supportive supervisors, and weekly check-ins, you find yourself in a very different kind of experience:
- No real onboarding
- No one in the organization fully understands what you’re doing
- And you’re not just helping with a project- you are the project
This kind of internship isn’t uncommon, especially in nonprofits, startups, or smaller organizations where you’ve been brought in for your specialized skills. And while it may feel overwhelming or even frustrating at first, it’s actually a huge opportunity for growth.
Case Study: Creating a Documentary… Solo
Last week, I was talking with a friend of mine whose son is studying Film & Media. He was hired by a summer baseball league to “make a documentary.” Sounds cool, right? But there’s no script. No creative direction. No timeline. No one else in the league really knows anything about video production at all.
This isn’t an internship where he’ll shadow a director or learn editing techniques from a seasoned professional. He’s on his own.
And that’s the point: He’s not there to learn how to do the job. He’s there to do the job.
Here’s the 5-step plan I gave him (and now, I’m sharing it with you).
Step 1: Define the Problem & Purpose
Ask yourself:
- What is this documentary for? (Recruiting? Publicity? Fundraising? Celebration?)
- Who is the audience? (Parents? Coaches? Prospective athletes? General fans?)
- What kind of tone or feeling is the league hoping to convey? (Inspiring? Gritty? Heartwarming?)
Action: Set up a 30-minute meeting with a supervisor and ask these questions directly. Even if they’re not sure, get their reactions to a few options or samples.
Step 2: Design the Scope & Structure
Break the project into chunks:
- Pre-Production: Define your story arc, theme, interview list, filming schedule, and equipment needs.
- Production: Shoot footage: games, behind-the-scenes, interviews, day-in-the-life content.
- Post-Production: Edit segments, add music/voiceover, get feedback, revise.
Create a mini production timeline:
- Week 1: Plan and outline.
- Weeks 2–5: Film and collect assets.
- Weeks 6–8: Edit and review.
- Week 9: Finalize and deliver.
Use a simple Google Sheet to track your timeline and progress.
Step 3: Engage the Community
Build your content by involving others:
- Interview athletes, coaches, staff, fans.
- Capture rituals, routines, and behind-the-scenes moments.
- Use storytelling prompts like: “What does this league mean to you?” or “What was your proudest moment?”
- Build trust and presence. Don’t just show up with a camera, introduce yourself, explain the project, and make people feel seen.
Step 4: Expand Your Learning
You may not have a formal mentor on-site, but you can create your own learning experience:
- Follow a YouTube or Skillshare documentary course to learn better techniques.
- Ask for feedback from peers or faculty mentors back home.
- Join an online filmmaking community and post questions or samples for critique.
Step 5: Document & Deliver
At the end of your internship:
- Deliver the final product.
- Create a 1-page summary of what you did, how you approached it, and the skills you used.
- Build a behind-the-scenes reel or case study to use in your portfolio.
This turns an undefined experience into a career story, one where you showed initiative, problem-solving, creative direction, and communication.
Why These Internships Still Matter
Internships like this are more common than you think, especially in:
- Nonprofits that need a social media plan or database but don’t have a marketing or IT team
- Small businesses that need a website or branding refresh but can’t afford an agency
- Startups are asking interns to create a pitch deck, run market research, or design user flows
- Municipal offices or community groups asking for surveys, GIS maps, or economic impact reports
In these settings, you bring in knowledge the organization lacks. And while you may not have a traditional supervisor guiding your every move, you still have control, over your learning, your outcomes, and your legacy.
Final Thoughts: You’re Not Just an Intern. You’re a Consultant-in-Training.
These “figure-it-out” internships may feel chaotic at first, but they’re often the most formative. When you stop waiting for permission and start shaping your own experience, you’ll:
- Gain confidence
- Learn how to manage ambiguity
- Build a story that sets you apart from other candidates
So if you find yourself asking, “Why isn’t anyone telling me what to do?” flip the script. Take the lead. Design your own learning. And prove just how much value you can create, even when the roadmap doesn’t exist.
Ready to Take the Lead?
Download the full worksheet, map out your project plan, and turn your internship into a standout experience, one that shows initiative, creativity, and results.
📥 Download the Worksheet
💬 Have questions or want feedback on your plan? Schedule a free discovery call by heading to https://authentic-careers.com/discovery
- Subscribe to the blog at authentic-careers.com
- If you found this helpful, please share it with someone who might also find it useful
- If you want to work with me, start with a free discovery call by heading to https://authentic-careers.com/discovery
Leave a Reply