hi there!
I know that feeling very well! I have a background in office work and know what its like to not get paid to do everyones work while they just yell at you and treat you like a little girl/imbercile. (Not fun). Trust me here, You are not an imbercile or stupid! You sound like you are actually doing the right thing there by taking messages and passing them on. What the managers do with the messages are actually UP TO THEM, not you.
Most places generally show you a bit about what they do, then leave you alone unsupported while they are busy with a million other things.
Clearly this doesn't sound like a happy place, or good place clients are enjoying either. hmm poor you!
Hang in there, 2 more days to go! Ask as many questions of the receptionist as possible without sounding annoying and try to write as much as you can learn about down.
Try to get a traineeship after this (hard atm with barely any jobs going but you have a bit of luck on your side with your age: it seems everyone wants an experienced 17 year old here) and learn on the job.
Explain what your experiences are and what you can do, what you'd like to do/learn about to the next potential employer.
Be confident, bold and try to show some initiative (that was a confusing word to me when I first started!) like going and photocopying something you can see you're almost out of, stapling or paperclipping or filing away loose papers that you know the agents will need, or going and getting the other receptionist a coffee/tea if she likes when youre not so busy.
Stay calm, not matter what. Don;t give in to the bullying "Big bosses" - dont let them get to you. Be assertive if you need to be, use "I" language by saying "I don't like you talking to me like that, I'm doing what I've been asked/told to do." or "I need your help. Have you got 5 minutes before your lunch to show me the.....(insert what you need to know about here thats really quick and easy eg: how to use the photocopier)?"
Good luck!
Hold in there and be safe!
