As my junior year came to a close, I was officially having a quarter life crisis. Some may say this was far too early in life for an identity crisis, but the summer before senior year is a pivotal moment in any young person's life. Not only was I busy finding somewhere to live and work, it was brought to my realization that this would officially be my last summer before I had to pretend to be an actual grown up. If you don't struggle with that transition at least a little bit, then I commend you.
Since I was 16, I have worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard – the typical summer job. The pool was my happy place. Many of my closest friends, including my younger brother, worked at the pool and our summers were filled with adventures and chaos. We would go on early morning sunrise hikes in Boulder and spend nearly every night playing Cards Against Humanity and sitting by the fire pit in our backyard. We were carefree and invincible, like all teens should be. Hence, you can imagine my apprehension when I decided to not return to Colorado for the summer and instead find a summer internship in San Antonio.
First and foremost, I was worried about getting an internship for the summer because, as an English major, many opportunities for which I am qualified are unpaid. Since this would be my first time living in a house and paying rent and utilities, the prospect of not having an income was frightening. My family was graciously willing to help me out, but the guilt of borrowing money is anxiety inducing at times. Also, I was nervous about being pushed outside of my comfort zone. For nearly six years I had worked in a comfortable job; I was familiar with my coworkers and the members at the pool and I absolutely loved my job teaching children. Therefore, the prospect of being a general intern at an office was nerve-racking. However, I knew that I needed the experience in order to be informed and employable as I enter the workforce in just one year. Now that I am one month into my internship, I can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding experiences.
I was hired to be the Special Events and Communications intern at a local literary arts non-profit, Gemini Ink. After a friend told me about the organization, I was immediately intrigued by their mission, "to help people create and share the human story." However, even after I accepted the internship, I could not have imagined the effect it has had on me. Here are five things I have learned from having a summer internship:
1. There are job opportunities compatible with any and all interests.
I have always been passionate about literature, which is why I decided to become an English major. However, whenever I share my major with others they always roll their eyes or scoff and say, "Do you want to be a teacher?" Completing an internship at Gemini Ink has helped me realize that there are countless opportunities for people interested in reading and writing. It has given me a new perspective on my potential career choices and has helped me realize that I would like to be a writer or content creator after graduation.
2. Networking is key to creating a successful future.
If you gain nothing else from an internship, at least use it as an opportunity to network. Each of the employees at Gemini Ink has imparted some sort of wisdom on me since I began my internship in May. They have offered me career advice and have helped me navigate the literary field. An internship is the perfect opportunity to meet people in your potential field – don't let it go to waste!
3. You are more qualified than you think.
As my senior year quickly approaches I have become nervous about being under qualified. In less than a year I will have to send out my resume to potential employers and my English degree did not seem like enough to qualify me for any job. However, having an internship has helped me realize that I am capable of working independently on numerous tasks. I have been asked to write articles for local magazine, I have helped organize a regional writers conference, I have written press releases, and I have contacted local businesses for donations. I never attended a lecture on how to do these things. Yet, my writing and communication skills that I learned as an English major have helped me complete the tasks successfully. My internship has allowed me to realize that I am qualified for many careers and I have the necessary skills to have a successful future in my chosen field.
4. Internships allow you to build relationships with people who have similar interests to you.
Most summer jobs attract a wide array of people. In fact, a lot of times the only thing they have in common is that they are in desperate need of money. However, an unpaid summer internship attracts a certain kind of person. You aren't going to apply to be a glorified volunteer at a company or organization that you aren't interested in. Therefore, your fellow interns will most likely have similar passions as you. My fellow interns are all creative and interested in writing. Many of them want to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree and they all are avid authors. We are given the opportunity to be a part of poetry readings all around San Antonio and are asked to attend many cultural events in the city. Being around like minded people has allowed me to cultivate relationships with people similar to myself and has exposed me to an entirely new side of the city, which has been one of the most rewarding parts of my internship.
5. Finally, being an intern is humbling.
By the time you are a senior you have the whole college thing down. Papers and tests are commonplace and you are the expert on campus. However, having an internship helps you realize that when you enter the workforce you'll have to start from the bottom again. Sometimes you're asked to make coffee and other times you're given a task that is too difficult for you to complete on your own. Either way, you realize that you need to work hard in order to be successful. It is at times frustrating to do grunt work, but occasionally you'll be assigned a project that makes you realize just how important you are. Having an internship has helped me realize that even the most menial tasks are important in the grand scheme of things.
Completing an internship can be daunting and is, at times, a thankless job. However, it is absolutely crucial to being an informed and experienced young professional. My summer internship has opened up numerous doors and has allowed me to foster many great relationships that will be helpful as I begin applying for jobs in the next year. I would absolutely recommend that all college students, whether you're a freshman or a rising senior, apply for internships. Even if it is unpaid and completely outside of your comfort zone, it will be a rewarding and educational experience.
