An intern’s journey at a Bengaluru-based AI startup, intended as a career comeback after a break, has turned into a cautionary tale. The individual claims they were subjected to excessive workloads, had their contributions uncredited, and experienced severe burnout within months.
The intern shared their experience in a Reddit post titled “My ‘first start’ in an Indian startup turned into a nightmare,” detailing how the opportunity, meant to be a stepping stone, became an exhausting and demoralizing ordeal. The post highlights common issues faced by interns in the startup ecosystem, including demanding work hours and poor management practices.
Initially, the internship started normally, with a small team handling data analysis. However, the intern soon found themselves taking on a disproportionate amount of work, with their contributions being misrepresented by a colleague. The long hours and constant screen time began to take a toll on their health, leading to symptoms like vomiting, exhaustion, and an inability to focus.
Despite raising concerns internally, the situation reportedly worsened, with instructions to prolong their working hours and further assignment of tasks. The intern alleges that management eventually expressed dissatisfaction with their performance, contradicting previous client feedback. In their final month, projects were allegedly taken away, minimally altered, and presented to clients without proper credit.
Feeling exploited and unrecognized, the intern decided to leave after four months without a job offer. The experience left them burned out and back at square one in their job search, underscoring the challenging realities many face when trying to re-enter the workforce.
The Reddit post has ignited a discussion online about the demanding and sometimes unethical practices within certain startups, particularly concerning interns. Many users shared similar experiences and offered advice, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health and seeking environments that value employees.