Dear Sir/Madam/Aunty/Uncle,

Out of all the fun and probably silly things that I could indulge myself in during the vacation, I put my feeding bottle aside and decided to go out there into the world to gain some practical experience. I know where I want to go, and I knew what I had to do to get it.

Out of the pure innocence of my heart and my mind, I applied to work with your company, and was elated when I was given the nod to start work. I was going to meet people who would hold my hand and mentor me, teach me, and groom me. I was going to learn quickly on the job and be useful in my own way, making good use of the time I had with your company.

For that first week that I began to get your breakfast, your fruits, do your mobile money transactions and order your ‘fufu’, I wasn’t worried at all. I was glad to help. After all, it was a part of the entire process right? Right. It, however, becomes a problem when I even have to pick up the pen across the table for you.

I begin to question my purpose at work when I have to go out 4 times at a go to run your errands. That makes me feel quite uncomfortable and makes me start planning ways to escape from you at work all the time. And that is so not cool.

I also hear that the guys at the office have cast bets to see who amongst themselves get to take me to bed first. I have just one thing to tell you. Just as Meghan Trainor says in her song “All about that base”, I might be young, but I ain’t stupid. I am here in the first place because I have a vision, a dream.

Dreams, which I will so pursue. So forget about me. You are prioritizing yourself with ridiculous plans like betting to see who will take me to bed first, and with the rate at which you are going, I might be the one employing you soon.

Dear Sir/Madam/Aunty/Uncle, I want you to know that, the fact that you were shouted at, humiliated, treated like nothing and pushed to the wall several times as an intern before climbing up the ladder of your career, does not mean you have to pass the tradition on. It is not folklore.

There is a difference between constructively criticizing or correcting and humiliating. Not everyone is built for such words that you use on us. Some of us might quit and give up on any hopes of ever pursuing a fulfilling life, just because of your words.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to grow every day and become better, but can you please just watch your words and your attitude. Is it possible to stop making people cry all the time? We are interns, those who probably do majority of the work at a certain point in time, and relieve you of your heavy duties; we are not helps obtained from your hometown to come and help you cater for your child. You would not be happy if your child or sibling was treated in like manner.

Dear Sir/Madam/Aunty/Uncle, I wish you would understand that in a corporate environment, age difference is of minimum importance. What counts really is intellect, attitude, and results. And I really wish you would listen. Listen to other views. Listen to fresher ideas. Fresher innovations from fresh minds who are looking at things from a different perspective. Maybe when you begin to do that, we’ll all take another significant step towards productivity.

Before I end my love letter, I would like to acknowledge all the other Sirs, Madams, Aunties, and Uncles who have the eye to notice the talents and potential in us, and give us the opportunity to explore it.

Thank you to all the people who hold our hand and groom us, criticizing us constructively, urging us on, telling us not to give up, praising us when we get it right, and listening to all our suggestions and ideas. We will not disappoint you.

And when we do get the chance, we’ll say these words to other interns:

“Follow my hand, I’ll teach you how to play,

I’ll be patient with you. Someone was patient with me.”-Jennifer Hudson.

Yours Eager to succeed intern,

Nana Akua Asarebea.