It hasn’t been more than a couple of weeks at your first job, and you already seem to have lost all enthusiasm for the process. This usually happens when you are interning for a position and aren’t given many responsibilities. Other people in the office treat you like a kid and you feel out of place. The tasks are repetitive, boring and mind numbing. You have serious trouble focusing on your work and actually find it difficult to stay awake during work hours.

Start a “To-Do” list!

It always pays to make a to–do list of the daily tasks that you would like to accomplish by the end of the day. By making such a list you will start having a concrete vision of your responsibilities. Time will also pass much faster and you won’t feel quite as useless as you earlier felt. However, if you feel (most likely) that your abilities can be better used in another role, approach your team leader or supervisor and ask him for more challenging responsibilities.

Assist in tasks not related to you!

When you see there isn’t enough work in your department, get yourself enrolled in the social committees and activities (usually a part of HR) in your company. You will then organize things like company picnics, manage conference room presentations, retirement functions and other cool stuff. This will give you an opportunity to display your organization skills and establish yourself as a creative thinker, a hard working team player and a natural leader outside your given role.

If you want added responsibilities you have to show your supervisor what you are capable of. If you are asked to present a report on your department’s performance, do additional analysis and or prepare an updated format. Going out of your way to add value to your mundane tasks will make you a go-getter and impress your supervisors. Take initiative to start a new project!

Finally, think about your self image. If you working in the communications department, think of yourself as an important link that affects the communication process of the entire organization. If you are working in the customer service team, believe that through your ability to ensure client retention and satisfaction you’re directly responsible for the company’s bottom line. If you think that that the position you are working for is one of great responsibility you will handle even the most trivial of responsibilities with utmost dedication.