Franke James is Editor/Founder of Office-Politics.com and Inventor of the Office-Politics® Game.

Peter R. Garber has worked as an HR professional for over 25 years and is the author of many business books including: Winning the Rat Race at Work and 100 Ways to Get on the Wrong Side of your Boss.

Dina Beach Lynch, is an Ombudsman, Author and former attorney. An award-winning mediator, Dina served as the Corporate Ombudsman for the 7th largest bank in the US helping over 48,000 employees to resolve workplace issues.

Dr. Rick Brandon is CEO of Brandon Partners. He has consulted and trained tens of thousands at corporations worldwide, including Fortune 500 companies across a variety of industries.

Dr. Marty Seldman is one of America's most experienced executive coaches. His 35-year career includes expertise in executive coaching, group dynamics, cross-cultural studies, clinical psychology, and training.

Arnie Herz, is a lawyer, mediator, speaker, author and consultant nationally recognized for his practical and inspired approach to conflict resolution and client counseling.

Dr. John Burton LL.B. M.B.A. M.Div. Ph.D. is an ethicist, mediator, lawyer and theologian. John is currently located in Prince Rupert, B.C., Canada, working with Canada's aboriginal communities.

I feel like they are conspiring to get me out of the firm when my internship 'expires' instead of getting hired on. What am I to do?

July 2005

Dear Office-Politics,

I'm a new intern at a PR firm and have been there about a month.

There was also a woman who was hired as an intern with me. We were both told that our jobs could become permanent. Recently, the other intern has become buddies (parties on the weekends, hangs out together, etc...) with a junior account executive.

Now that JAE has become rude and condescending (constantly reminding me that I am just an intern) and has also given me menial yet incredibly time-consuming tasks that will affect an important project that I'm doing a great job on by making me put in at least 12 hours a day. She also explicitly told me that I cannot ask my fellow intern for help. I truly feel like they are conspiring to get me out of the firm when my internship 'expires' instead of getting hired on. What am I to do?

Just an Intern

Dear Just an Intern,

The promise that this gig could become a "permanent" job is a double-edged sword. Instead of encouraging you to perform, it can trigger "performativity" you may feel so much pressure to look good that you're thrown off your game. So my first advice is to keep your eye on the ball and do good work! Results are the best defense against office politics.

If there were no promise of longer-term employment, the internship would be all about learning. Look around you. Who in the department could mentor you? Perhaps the person who assigned the important project? Don't assume everyone is too busy. Many people feel good when they can teach others.

Also notice different delegation styles. If the JAE doesn't have a lot of experience supervising or delegating, (s)he could feel awkward. What looks like conspiracy could be immaturity or insecurity. Can you "manage upward" and relate to him/her differently?

Thanks for writing to Office-Politics.

Betsy Raskin Gullickson
Co-author, On the High Wire: How To Survive Being Promoted
Consultant / Executive Coach