I accepted an internship at Levin Associates/Pier-Port with the sincere intention to grow, learn, and gain experience. Unfortunately, my time there turned out to be deeply disheartening. One of the biggest lessons I took away was to be cautious when something seems too good to be true--and to never allow your employer to have control over both your job and your housing.
Though the role was advertised as an internship, I was treated like a senior employee. I was the only person in my field--there was no team to learn from, no mentorship, and no one to guide me. While there was a formal onboarding process, there was no meaningful support. I had to teach myself difficult programs under pressure, with little clarity and no guidance. The expectations felt unrealistic and unsupported.
Communication was inconsistent. Tasks were often unclear, with expectations that shifted randomly. When I asked for clarification, I was always met with frustration, raised voices, or cursing. The owner was frequently unavailable during the day, often arriving late afternoon when others were already leaving. This made getting direction or feedback extremely difficult.
When I got very sick and needed three days off to recover, I was told by the owner that he was considering hiring someone else--described as an industry expert--for my role. As an unpaid intern from out of state, this made me feel like my position and housing were being threatened. I felt like the only way to avoid being left without a place to live was to stay and endure an environment that felt toxic and unpredictable.
The housing provided was not what I expected. I was told it was professionally cleaned and part of a formal setup. What I arrived to was a neglected attic loft above his home's garage. It had no kitchen, the furniture was old and worn, and it was hard to live in. I found visible rodent droppings in the kitchen cabinets under the sink. No supplies or help were offered--I had to spend my own money to deal with the issue. It felt deeply stressful, especially as someone new to the state with no backup housing.
Before accepting, I had a call with the owner where he made the company sound well-staffed and professional. He described a busy, structured environment. I also checked the company's staff page, which listed several people, reinforcing that idea. But when I arrived, the reality was very different. It was a small team, mostly in unrelated roles, and there was no support system for interns. I had no one to train me--just high expectations and constant pressure.
From day one, the owner's tone felt harsh and unpredictable. There was no feedback loop--just ongoing criticism, often delivered in a way that felt demeaning. I also saw others treated unfairly. The workplace culture felt emotionally exhausting. I witnessed people come in for work and never return. While there was one person who had been with the company for a few years, it didn't appear to be continuous. To my knowledge, the most consistently present employee had only been there a little over a year.
If you're considering applying--especially if you're from out of state and don't have support--I strongly encourage caution. In my opinion, this internship did not offer the professional, or educational environment I was promised. I left feeling drained, unsupported, and disappointed. Please think carefully, and prioritize your mental and physical well-being before accepting. read more
