Okay, so you’ve probably seen those TikToks, reels or tweets, right? The ones saying stuff like, “I’m not doing extra unless I get paid for it”, or “I do my job, nothing more, nothing less.” Yeah, that’s quiet quitting, and honestly, it’s kinda our thing now. Gen Z interns are all about boundaries, mental health, and not burning ourselves out for free. We grew up watching hustle culture memes but also learning that, yeah, overworking is actually terrible for your brain.
But it’s not just internet hype. Gallup did this study recently and found that only about 34% of Gen Z feel actually engaged at work. That’s super low. So when an intern does the minimum and protects their mental space, it’s not laziness, it’s survival. And trust me, some of the stories going viral online really show why this happens. Like that marketing intern who spent weeks building a client deck, and the boss basically said, “Eh, redo it in your free time lol”, that one made rounds on Reddit. I mean, would you not quietly quit after that? So yeah, quiet quitting is basically a polite way of saying, “I value my time, my health, and my energy, kthxbye.”
Why Gen Z interns quietly quit
We want meaning, not mindless work.
Internships used to be: suffer now, shine later. But honestly, doing admin work or boring spreadsheet stuff for months isn’t exactly “career-building.” Gen Z wants mentorship, growth, feedback, and real projects that teach something. Not just making coffee, filing reports, or running errands. There was this Reddit post that went viral, an intern wrote about how they were doing extra work literally for weeks, pitching ideas, doing more than their seniors, and it all got ignored. They stopped doing the extras, and suddenly their manager noticed them more because the real work actually mattered. That’s quiet quitting winning quietly. And let’s be real, seeing this stuff online makes you feel validated, like, “oh yeah, I can chill a bit and it’s fine.”
Money matters (like, duh)
Unpaid internships are still a thing, especially in India. Some stats show that around 40% of interns don’t get paid, and even when there is a stipend, it’s usually ₹2–5k per month, barely enough for snacks. Imagine commuting, buying food, doing real client work, and staying late for free. No wonder Gen Z interns quietly refuse to do extra unless compensated. It is fine to do unpaid work if they actually get some appreciation and are valued. And there are plenty of TikToks/screenshots where interns literally post: “Stayed till 10 PM for free, CEO didn’t even say thanks”, people relate, they comment, they share. That’s the quiet quitting mood, just protecting your energy while still doing what’s required.
Remote internships = feeling invisible
Remote internships have perks, obviously. Flexible schedules, no commute, maybe you can do it in pyjamas. But the downside? You can literally vanish and no one notices. No watercooler talks, no casual mentorship, no recognition. One LinkedIn post by a remote intern said, “I submitted 3 reports this week, no one even replied. Am I even working here?”, classic quiet quitting. You do your work, you show up, but emotionally? You check out.
Viral incidents validate the whole thing.
The hashtag #quietquitting exploded on social media. And some stories actually blew up IRL. Remember the Bangalore intern who quit a startup via WhatsApp after they got funded? People debated online if it was lazy or bold, but honestly, it showed interns can protect their time and still survive in the professional world. Even stories from global companies made rounds, interns posting about being made to do menial tasks endlessly and then sharing their boundaries online. For us, that’s reassurance that being human and setting limits is okay.
Stats that make you go “ah, makes sense”
When we look at the numbers, it makes a lot of sense why quiet quitting is such a big deal. According to the LinkedIn Workforce Confidence Index 2023, more than 70% of Gen Z actually prioritise flexibility and mental health over extra pay or overtime. That’s huge, because it shows that for young professionals, it’s not just about climbing the ladder or racking up work hours anymore; they care about feeling balanced and sane. Gallup also found that only about one in three young workers feels genuinely engaged at work, which is the lowest among all generations. Combine that with social media trends, and it’s easy to see why quiet quitting is spreading. TikTok, Reddit, and even LinkedIn are full of posts from interns sharing stories about setting boundaries, refusing unpaid tasks, or intentionally doing only what’s required. People are literally cheering each other on for prioritising themselves, which was unheard of in older generations. So yeah, quiet quitting isn’t just a meme anymore; it’s a generational shift in how interns approach work, stress, and energy management.
What quiet quitting actually looks like IRL.
So what does quiet quitting actually look like in real life? Honestly, it’s way more subtle than people think. For most interns, it’s about doing what’s assigned but not overextending themselves unnecessarily. You might complete every task on time, but politely say no to extra projects because, well, exams and college assignments exist, and your brain needs a break. You might stop replying to Slack messages at 1 AM because, hello, sleep matters and mental health isn’t optional. You pitch ideas in meetings, and after a few times of getting ignored, you just stop volunteering them, not out of laziness, but because you’ve realised it’s smarter to focus your energy where it actually counts.
And it works. There was this one Medium article where an intern described how they stopped doing extra-credit tasks at a PR firm and focused solely on their core responsibilities. The funny twist? Their performance review actually improved. It’s like being efficient and setting boundaries got them noticed more than constantly overdoing it. Social media is full of similar stories. Reels of interns jokingly calling themselves “bare minimum heroes” have gone viral because, honestly, it’s relatable and kind of funny. Even smaller incidents have garnered attention online, such as an intern posting a screenshot that reads, “Answered one extra email, now they make me the team’s email monkey forever.” Relatable? Totally. Funny? Yeah, a little. It’s the reality of modern internships: you do your job, you protect your energy, and sometimes, quietly, that’s enough to win.
Why companies should actually care?
Interns disengaging isn’t just “kids being lazy.” If interns leave, companies lose future talent, ideas, creativity, and even their brand reputation. Many interns post their experiences online, which affects how peers see your company. Poorly structured internships, unclear goals, and zero feedback = recipe for quiet quitting. But the good news: small efforts work. Weekly 15-minute check-ins with interns can dramatically improve engagement and even motivate them to do more than the bare minimum. Recognition, mentorship, and structure go a long way.
How Companies Can Make Internships More Meaningful
A lot of internships fall short because companies don’t always set clear goals or expectations. Interns can end up guessing what counts as “good enough,” which is stressful and confusing. Taking some time to define responsibilities clearly and communicate expectations can make a huge difference for everyone. Fair compensation is important, too. Even a modest stipend signals that the company values the intern’s time and effort, which builds respect and motivation.
Mentorship and regular feedback are key elements as well. Checking in, offering guidance, or recognising small achievements can make interns feel supported and more confident in their work. Assigning meaningful projects also matters a lot; interns want to contribute in ways that impact the team, not just handle repetitive tasks. Including them in brainstorming sessions or showing how their work makes a difference creates a sense of purpose. Even small gestures like casual virtual coffee chats or informal team bonding activities can help interns feel connected and engaged with the team.
How Interns Can Make the Most of Their Internship
Interns also play a role in making their experience positive and productive. Communicating clearly about what’s expected and what they can realistically handle helps prevent misunderstandings. Keeping a record of work is smart too; it shows effort and provides a reference for performance discussions.
Protecting your mental health and schedule is equally important. Saying no to extra tasks that overload you or responding outside of reasonable hours is perfectly fine. Being professional doesn’t mean being a doormat; setting boundaries respectfully ensures that your workload remains manageable while still demonstrating commitment. When interns balance responsibility with self-care, the experience becomes more rewarding and effective for both them and the company.
Quiet quitting isn’t laziness or rebellion. It’s self-respect and energy management. Gen Z interns aren’t trying to kill productivity; we’re asking for fairness, recognition, and sanity. Companies that listen can turn quiet quitting into quiet thriving, with interns who are engaged, learning, contributing, and actually want to stick around. Honestly, this is how internships should be. Protect your time, set boundaries, but still do your job well; that’s the new normal.
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