“Surviving 9 to 5? Or Just Living Through It?”

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 A student’s take on internships, work culture, and what actually matters.



Recently, I landed an internship at a company where I worked the typical 9 to 5. It was my second internship, but like the first, it was short — both lasted less than a month. So, there wasn’t any pay or stipend involved. Still, I made the most of it and tried to absorb the experience like a full-time intern. So yeah, let’s dive into it.

I had two very different experiences. One was at a production company, and the other was with a start-up that had engineers from both hardware and software domains.

Let me start with the production company — my first internship. They had a tightly regulated system. Work started at 9 AM and wrapped up by 6 PM. It was a small setup with around 20 to 30 people. Holidays were strict — just about 8 a year, apart from Sundays. Breaks were rare. Even when machines weren’t operating, employees were busy with tasks like packing, clearing storage, etc.

The only breaks allowed were two short 10-minute ones (around 11 AM and 4 PM), plus a 30-minute lunch. Phones weren’t allowed during work hours. The atmosphere felt a bit rigid. Most people were above 45, with only a handful in their 20s and 30s. I really enjoyed chatting with the younger folks and learning bits from their journey.

My second stint was at a start-up focused on both production and development. This place had around 50–60 people, mostly in their 20s and 30s, apart from those in higher management. The environment was way more relaxed and collaborative. There were no fixed breaks — we could take them whenever we needed, even for lunch. People were friendly, and I ended up learning a lot — not just technically, but also through shared experiences that I feel will help me going forward.

What I Really Learned

What I realised is — it’s not really about working a strict 9 to 5. What actually matters is:

  • The work culture
  • How valued you feel
  • What you’re contributing
  • And the kind of people you’re around

These things build confidence and shape your experience.

So at the end of the day, my point is — it’s never just about the 9 to 5.
Stay hungry, always keep learning and growing.

So yeah, that’s all for this blog — just my impressions from these two experiences. But I feel I’ve shared what I really wanted to.

“More than the journey or the destination, it’s the company that truly matters.”

-Until the next one, it’s us, Amateur University signing off…

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