When you’re a business student, you know you have competition. There is no perfect job waiting for you to simply bring in your resume in return for an offer letter. The corporate world is brutal and filled with more no’s than yes’s. When you’re born to two teachers in middle class America and you want to work in the fast paced business world, you’re a goldfish in the Pacific Ocean.
Growing up I had already made the decision that I was going to be a teacher, and follow the path of my family. Eventually, I became employed by Hollister and worked there for about two years before coming to college. While working there, I was exposed to a world I never thought I would be interested in—business and fashion. Voluntarily, I would stay late and come early, help my manager open and close, and learn what it was like to run only a portion of the business. I was inspired by what it took to start and run a business so I decided it was time for me to switch my life plan.
Coming to college I decided to major in Business Administration, and I wouldn’t take it back for a second. Once, I started my classes I realized that my colleagues were just as highly qualified and intelligent, to work in the corporate world, as myself. After my freshman year, I had concluded it was time to get to work. As a sophomore, I took the courage to apply for a T.J. Maxx internship in their Human Resources Department, which I later received an offer from. During my time there, I had quite the reality check. This is not an hourly based job that requires some common sense and a smile—this was officially the real world. I worked right after class, and had an agenda of things to do as soon as I got to work.
Most of us have the expectancy that since we go to a university and get exceptional grades we will all be offered extraordinary jobs that will offer us the success we need to pay off our loans. To break that perfect reality, it requires so much more than that. Internships are, if anything, worth more than sitting in a classroom. By being the intern, you are getting hands on experience you can’t get in the four walls of a classroom. There are somethings a power point presentation can’t explain until you have experienced them yourself.
A book can teach you all about hierarchal structure, but you won’t understand the process until you’re in the position understanding “who has the right to do what and when.” Projects can enforce entrepreneurial action but it doesn’t enforce the stress of your boss asking you to reconstruct a business process with the results tomorrow. Most importantly, you can’t put a classroom on your resume. Being the intern gives you experience and credibility to your future employer that you’ve done the job, and you have done it well.
It may seem impossible now to think you can go out there and get an internship, but it is achievable. This past summer, I was the intern again with Sam’s Club which provided me with even more experience and business wit. I have now interned for two Fortune 500 companies that have given me more insight to the real world than any exam or power point has been able to provide. The intern life can be stressful and can make you feel insignificant but it is the push during that time that will give you the CEO title later on in life.
Being the intern is more than just experience for your resume, but more your mind. Every company has a different company culture filled with a diver work force where you are bound to learn how to deal and work with other type of people. With the diverse background, your future employer is sure to believe you are more than qualified. Getting a job in the cut throat business world is about who you know. So, if you don’t know anyone you need to know everyone. Through these internships you’ll meet coworkers that can turn into lifelong friends and bosses that can help you in the future with references or even be a mentor. The title of internship is also not a permanent position. Just like practice turns into a performance, internships turn into jobs. If you work hard, and prove yourself there’s the possibility of a return offer that will down the road turn itself into opportunity.
As the intern, don’t doubt yourself. You may get assigned to mindless tasks that may be far from where you want to be, but trust it’s not a waste of your time. You may get tasks that seem too challenging and you begin to consider whether you are even good enough; but, if you think you can succeed, you will. Any experience is good for you. Don’t be afraid to step out into the real world, because one day you’re going to have no choice. Take college seriously, and experience yourself now for the day after graduation—the first day of the real world.
