The Intern Film Review: Lifelong Learning and Career Fulfillment

The Intern movie review: lessons on career growth and life’s second chances

When I sat down to watch *The Intern,* I expected just another feel-good comedy about a senior citizen returning to the workplace. What I didn’t expect, though, were the profound lessons on mentorship, lifelong learning, and career fulfillment that would emerge. Starring Robert De Niro as Ben Whittaker and Anne Hathaway as Jules Ostin, this movie offers some incredibly enriching life lessons—especially if you’re interested in self-development, business, psychology, and more.

Why *The Intern* is relevant for self-development and career growth

If you’re like me, you often look to movies for inspiration on real-world issues, especially in areas like personal growth, mentorship, and career development. *The Intern* tackles these themes head-on. The film revolves around Ben, a retired 70-year-old widower who returns to the job market, but not in the way you’d expect. He becomes an intern for Jules, a much younger CEO of a fast-growing e-commerce fashion company. What’s really special about this setup is the exchange of wisdom, experience, and new perspectives that unfolds between the two main characters.

Now, let’s break it all down into actionable life lessons. Grab some notes (you know the drill), because whether you’re at the start of your career or re-evaluating later in life, this film offers tons of practical insights.

Step-by-step guide to applying lessons from *The Intern* to your life

Step 1: Embrace lifelong learning

In the movie, Ben Whittaker embodies lifelong learning. Despite being 70, he joins a tech-savvy e-commerce company as a senior intern, learning new technologies and modern workplace cultures with open arms. This is a massive lesson for all of us. I can’t count the number of times I’ve felt “too old” to learn something new—but, honestly, that’s just a mindset.

How to practice lifelong learning:

1. Stay curious. Challenge yourself by picking up new skills—be it reading, taking online courses, or even volunteering like Ben did.
2. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Whether it’s learning that new language you’ve been thinking about or familiarizing yourself with the latest apps, push boundaries.
3. Ask for help. Ben wasn’t shy to ask questions when diving into new tasks. Reach out to younger coworkers or friends for help, or sign up for mentorship programs. Learning is not a solo gig!

Step 2: Seek mentorship opportunities (and offer them)

The core dynamic of *The Intern* is how Ben’s years of experience provide much-needed mentorship for Jules. Although Jules is incredibly successful in her business, she struggles to balance work with her personal life and manage the mounting pressures. Ben becomes her sounding board and, ultimately, her advisor on both professional and personal matters.

Whether you’re young and navigating your way up the ladder or someone who’s been in the game for a while, mentorship plays a crucial role in personal and professional growth.

Maximize your mentorship experience:

• Find a mentor. If you’re a young professional, identify someone you admire in your domain and reach out. You’d be surprised at how many people are willing to share what they’ve learned.
• Be a mentor. If you’re more experienced, offer to guide someone who’s just starting. In turn, you’ll find that teaching others strengthens your own skills.
• Don’t limit yourself to formal mentorships. Ben and Jules didn’t start with a traditional mentor-mentee relationship. Look for organic opportunities at work, in your community, or even within your family.

Step 3: Develop a growth mindset

Ben doesn’t come into his new role with an attitude of “I know it all.” Instead, he’s constantly looking for ways to contribute to the company, while also learning from his younger colleagues. The growth mindset—a concept in psychology introduced by Carol Dweck—is all about believing that skills and intelligence can be developed.

Here’s how to cultivate your own growth mindset:

1. Don’t shy away from criticism. Instead of viewing feedback as an attack, consider it a way to improve.
2. Look at failure as a learning opportunity. Like Ben, every mistake you make can teach you something valuable if you’re open to reflection.
3. Take on challenges that stretch you. Nothing worthwhile comes from staying in your comfort zone—push the envelope a little, and see how much more you can achieve.

Step 4: Prioritize work-life balance

One of the major struggles Jules faces in the film is balancing her fast-paced career with her personal life. Sound familiar? Especially for those of us hustling to make things work both at home and in our careers, achieving that elusive balance can feel impossible.

Ben’s perspective—rooted in years of experience—helps Jules find a slower, more fulfilling approach to life and work. Interestingly, this “balance” also fits with the principles in time management and biohacking circles.

Five work-life balance tips from *The Intern*:

• Set physical and mental boundaries for work. At some point in the evening, switch off your work emails and engage with your personal interests.
• Make time for the things that matter. Jules dedicates herself completely to her job, but the movie shows how crucial downtime and relationships are for sustainable success.
• Take regular breaks. Biohackers and productivity experts alike recommend short, regular breaks throughout your workday to reduce stress and restore energy.
• Know when to delegate. Don’t feel like you have to handle everything yourself. Delegation is key to avoiding burnout (and Jules learns this lesson the hard way).
• Use time management tools. A personal recommendation: use tools like time-blocking apps or productivity systems (such as the Pomodoro technique) to set priorities and build achievable plans.

Step 5: Stay adaptable

*The Intern* shows that adaptability is crucial at any stage in life. Both Ben and Jules face challenges: Ben has to adjust to a modern digital workplace, while Jules has to grapple with pressures from investors who doubt a female CEO. They overcome these hurdles by staying flexible in their outlooks and embracing change rather than resisting it.

This lesson really hit home for me, and I’m sure it will for you too. Being able to pivot—whether in a job, business venture, or personal project—can make all the difference in your long-term success.

How to become more adaptable:

• Practice mindfulness to stay calm during sudden changes.
• Embrace uncertainty instead of fearing it. Treat each new obstacle as a puzzle that needs solving.
• Keep learning new skills so that you’re always ready for shifting circumstances, like how Ben quickly picks up modern office technologies.
• Surround yourself with diverse people and opinions, just like Ben does with his young coworkers. Exposure to different perspectives helps you stay adaptable.

Conclusion: apply the lessons of *The Intern* to your own life

*The Intern* isn’t just about an unusual career move; it’s a masterclass in adaptability and personal growth. Ben Whittaker shows us all that it’s never too late to learn, contribute, and mentor others, while Jules Ostin illustrates the complex journey of managing both career and personal responsibilities.

If you’re serious about career growth and self-development, take these key lessons to heart:

1. Embrace lifelong learning—never stop growing.
2. Seek to both learn from and offer mentorship.
3. Cultivate a growth mindset to tackle new challenges.
4. Strive for work-life balance to maintain happiness and efficiency.
5. Stay adaptable—change is inevitable, so learn to thrive in it.

These aren’t just lessons from the movie—they’re things you can apply to your own life starting today. So, whether you’re just out of school or a seasoned professional looking for inspiration, give Ben’s and Jules’s stories a watch. I promise: the insights you’ll gain on mentorship, career growth, and lifelong learning will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Now, go ahead and hit play—or even better, apply these lessons to your own everyday experiences this week. You might be surprised at the results!