Natasha Moore, a Business major at Manor College, shares her experiences as an intern.

In a tranquil monastery nestled among misty mountains, a revered Zen master known for his deep wisdom attracted seekers from afar. One day, a learned Scholar, eager for deeper understanding, sought the master’s counsel. The Zen master welcomed him warmly and invited him to sit while he began to pour tea into the Scholar’s cup. He continued pouring even as the cup overflowed, spilling tea onto the table. 

Noticing this, the Scholar alerted the master to the overflowing cup, stating that no more could fit. The Zen master, with a steady gaze, replied, “You, my friend, are like this cup, full of your own ideas and beliefs. To truly learn, you must first empty your cup.” 

I heard this story from my first great teacher, my dad. He always tells me that to truly learn and grow, I need to let go of preconceived notions and be a student of life. He shared this story with me when I was in high school, when I thought I knew everything. I didn’t understand the nuances of the story until I started my first internship. 

When I started at my first HR internship, I thought that I needed to know everything. I took some HR related Linkedin courses and watched endless videos on how to be a great intern. This was helpful, don’t get me wrong, but the over-preparation affected the exact point of an internship –  to learn. 

The first week, I put too much pressure on myself when I made a mistake; I thought it was the end of the world. Looking back, I can’t even remember what the mistake was, only the panic that I felt. 

That’s when I remembered the story that my dad shared with me. Once I told myself to “empty my cup,” I felt the pressure I was putting on myself lift. I felt more comfortable asking questions because I not only got a better understanding of my tasks, but also what it takes to be a Human Resources professional. I became comfortable making mistakes because it meant that I was learning, and I stopped feeling the need to be the “perfect intern.” 

It will be two years since I started my internship in May, and I can gladly say that I still come to work with my cup empty.

As the summer internship season approaches, many of my peers have asked me how to prepare for their new jobs. I usually share the basics – Make sure to research your role and the company. 

However, a common fear I have noticed among peers starting a new role is the need to know everything before they even walk through the door. “What if I do not know how to do my job?” 

My advice to them is always the same: “It’s okay not to know everything right away.” Emptying your cup takes the pressure off of yourself to be the “perfect intern.” When you ask questions to understand, you show your employer that you have the capacity to grow, which is far more valuable than skill. You build meaningful relationships with co-workers, and you make the most of your time at your internship. 

So if you are starting your internship, come with an empty cup.

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Natasha Moore is a Business Administration major at Manor College. She serves as the President of Student Senate and is a Presidential Ambassador, member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is a recipient of the Mother Josaphat Medal.