It’s intern season! Across the country, thousands of students are heaving themselves up in the wee hours, attempting to coordinate the perfect “business casual” outfits (surely this is an oxymoron?) and hauling themselves into a large, glass box office to work a 9-5.

Teams calls, bragging rights, accidentally ending emails with “kingly regards” – it’s a rite of passage for all future rat race competitors.

I only slightly mock. I too am a rodent in said race. Alas, I’ve so far spent my summer in a tax advisory office in Manchester, scouring Excel sheets and getting locked out of Outlook, reflecting on all the films that encapsulate the realities of being an intern – of learning so much yet feeling so useless. These are just a few I can’t stop thinking about…

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Perhaps it’s overdone. Or perhaps it’s done the exact right amount because it’s just that good. The Devil Wears Prada is a cult classic for a reason.

Andrea (Anne Hathaway) is an aspiring journalist. She is hired as an assistant (an intern, for all intents and purposes) at the fashion magazine Runway, a spoof of Vogue. Her boss is the diabolical (and dare I say iconic) editor-in-chief, Miranda Priestly – one of Meryl Streep’s most acclaimed roles. As the story progresses, Andrea begins to question whether working for Priestley is worth it and her decisions become progressively greyer.

“The Devil Wears Prada is a cult classic for a reason”

It seems especially apt for any interns this summer, who are wondering whether it would have been a better idea to go on holiday… Whether this is what it means to be employed: overworked, underpaid and working for Meryl Streep (if only).

Or, on a cheerier note, perhaps this film suggests that the CV isn’t everything and remaining true to personal values and morals is infinitely more important.

The Social Network (2010)

Because, after all, isn’t that what an internship is for? To network, to curate a delicious LinkedIn Post and possibly secure that fabled grad job…. To meet peers who also dream of sitting in a shiny box for 8-12 hours per day in London or Birmingham or Edinburgh (and admittedly make a pretty penny doing so).

“Perhaps this film is a testament to where hard work (and a bit of arrogance) can take you”

Well, The Social Network actually isn’t about networking. It’s about Facebook. In 2003, Harvard undergrad Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) starts a project that eventually evolves into the behemoth that Facebook – or Meta – has become.

Perhaps this film is a testament to where hard work (and a bit of arrogance) can take you. Definitely a must-watch for any interns this summer, who are undoubtedly relying on both qualities to take them through.

If your workday has comprised a breakfast networking event, a lunchtime social and after-work drinks to commiserate England’s performance in the Euros, then what better film to end the day with? It would at least be on theme.

The Captive (2000)

This French film, directed by Akerman, centres around a man named Simon, who is so obsessed with his girlfriend, Ariane, that he follows her every move and demands complete submission from her. Despite her demureness, he cannot help but suspect that she harbours secret feelings for women, which drives him to increasing levels of unhinged behaviour. Eventually, it becomes apparent that it isn’t just Ariane who is the captive of Simon, but that he is a captive of himself.

“There is a certain je ne sais quoi about spending the summer as a city intern”

I fear many an intern can relate to Ariane: trapped under the gaze of a very stressed man wearing a suit and tie.

But, beyond that, maybe there is another rather obvious metaphor. Perhaps interns can relate to Simon: anxious about their futures, desperately trying to do their best in a place they aren’t quite sure is right for them, constantly wearing clothes that seem a bit too formal…

During an internship, it’s important to take time to rest and reflect (and maybe watch a film!). Rather than letting yourself descend into desperation, whether it be for the grad job or simply the CV points, remember to relax and enjoy the ride.

After all, there are certainly perks to a corporate internship. You get to meet lots of new people and try new things. Networking often comes with free food and drink; never before have I had such easy access to free hot chocolate and breakfast buffets. Not to mention, there is a certain je ne sais quoi about spending the summer as a city intern… I for one can’t wait to tell my children about the summer I almost became an accountant.

I even managed to write this article in the office. So, for any future employers reading, let this testify to my ability to balance multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining a hard-working and motivated individual.