I Almost Lost My Internship Over an Excel Sheet; Welcome to the cooperate world.

There are moments in life that shake us to the core, times when fear creeps in, and we’re forced to confront sides of ourselves we didn’t even know existed. Whether it’s a physical threat that leaves our heart pounding or an emotional storm that knocks the wind out of you, those experiences leave lasting marks. I never thought I’d find myself in such a situation, but one particular moment changed the way I saw myself, and the world around me. It wasn’t just about surviving the threat; it was about discovering the strength I didn’t know I had.

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I had just finished my national diploma course and it was time for me to search for a place where I would undergo my internship, known as industrial training. This was my first time in the cooperate world but that doesn’t mean I have no knowledge of how it works. After a series of interviews, going back and forth from one department to another, I was given the opportunity and I was to perform my duties in the investigation department. This department was on the highest floor of the building and it was also the floor most of the management staff were on.

Was I scared? Of course I was. I was scared of making mistakes or stepping on the wrong person's toes. Everyone on that floor was always in a suit and tie, smelling nice, and lacking smiles on their faces.

Well, the department I was in had good people who embraced me and were ready to teach me all I needed to know about the department and organization in general.

Everything was going well until the day came I was threatened by someone who always put on a smiling face whenever I'm around and I felt I could lean on him.

It was a Friday, and most Fridays the staff bus leaves the company grounds by 5:20 pm instead of the usual 5:30 pm and this is because we all want to beat the traffic and get home on time and our normal closing time was 5 pm.

That Friday, Mr. Shola gave me a task on Excel to complete because he needed the data to complete his risk management analysis. Actually, this was a job I could have done in 10 minutes if I knew the right functions of Microsoft Excel tools. I started going through the data one by one and this made me spend hours working on it. It was 4:50 pm and I wasn't halfway there, so I just switched off my laptop and told Mr. Shola I would finish up the following week and that was where all hell broke loose.

"What do you mean you couldn't finish it?" Are you alright? Will you sit down and put on that laptop, finish that document, and send it to me right now?

This time he was angry. I told him about the staff bus, but he didn't seem to care; he was talking to me and raising his voice. Other management staff didn't say a word as they all concentrated on what they were doing.

"Do you think if I tell the managing director I would provide the analysis next week, I would still have my position in this office?" You are paid to work and you must do everything possible to get it done. If you know you want to go, go and don't return on Monday because I'll make sure HR finds a replacement immediately. It seems you're very incompetent."

Those words were like a gunshot at me. I sat down and continued working on the documents. Mr. Shola left the office angrily, and then one of the staff came to me smiling and asked what it was I wanted to do. I pointed it out to him and he showed me a simple way of finding out the figures and replacing them immediately. I learned something new there.

I was with my boss and other staff till 6:15 pm before I was able to finish up. After I was done, I copied the document and then gave it to Mr. Shola. On my way out, Mr. Wale followed me and pulled me inside the boardroom. He then said

"I know you might be sad and all, but this is also training. When coming to work in a corporate environment, you need to drop all your emotions at home and show results for the job given; only that way will people take you seriously."

After talking to me for some time, I broke down and started crying. He gave me some extra money and asked me to get home safely. They all had cars so why delay me from following the staff bus?

After that day, the way I think changed. People aren't after your emotions or what you feel; they are only after your result and how you make it happen is all up to you. Yes, I was threatened that day; my emotions and job security were at stake but after coming out of it, I scratched and learned something new that has kept me going and strong in all the places I have worked.

Thanks for reading. My name is Fashtioluwa.

All images used are mine

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