My internship supervisor was awful — how I survived without burning the bridgE

She gave no feedback, took credit for my work in team meetings, and responded to questions with visible impatience.

What I did:
Documented everything. Every task I was given, every piece of work I submitted. Not out of legal paranoia but to maintain my own clarity.

Found a secondary mentor. My supervisor's supervisor was approachable. I asked for occasional guidance on "professional development" — framed broadly enough not to be threatening.

Delivered excellent work regardless. The quality of my output was noticed by people beyond my supervisor.

Didn't complain publicly. Not to other interns, not in exit surveys.

Outcome: Got a strong reference from the secondary mentor. My supervisor was not asked for a reference by anyone I applied to. The bridge is intact.