Calling all college students! It’s that time of year where undergraduate college students are searching for summer internships. The process is so exciting, but extremely stressful at the same time. There is so much that goes into searching for the perfect internship. You have to prepare and make sure that your resume/Curriculum Vitae is up to par, apply, interview (sometimes interview more than once) and then wait. The waiting stage is the worst part, because you’re anxious about hearing the outcome. There are so many thoughts and emotions that you may feel while you’re waiting. Thoughts such as, Did I get it? What if I get rejected? What are my other options? What if I wait so long and wind up getting rejected? Thoughts such as these are natural and normal, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
The waiting can take up to four weeks (depending on when you applied and when the internship actually starts), and it can be so annoying because you want to know now. In addition, if the internship is out of state from where you live and housing isn’t included, then you may need to make accommodations about where you’re going to live, how you’re going to pay to sublease an apartment, transportation and pay for food. There's so much that goes into it, and the waiting is an inconvenience because there are so many things you need to figure out before the internship. I’m in the same boat, and I’m waiting to hear back from places for the outcome, too. I’m a natural worrier, so it is all that I’ve been thinking about. Instead of stressing myself out, here are 5 useful tips that have helped me thus far that will maybe help you, too, during the waiting period:
1. Think positively
If you think that you didn’t nail the internship, then you most likely didn’t. You have to speak positivity into the universe. Just because you’re waiting to hear back from an employer doesn’t mean that you didn’t get the internship. Speak it into existence!
2. Check your e-mail often
You wouldn’t want to miss that “Congratulations Intern” e-mail just because you aren’t checking your e-mail frequently. If you’re not a consistent “e-mail checker," make sure to do it more often than you usually would, just because you’re expecting more e-mails during this time. Check your clutter and spam folders, too, just in case an email gets lost or misplaced.
3. Be patient
It's easier said than done, but making yourself stressed out won’t make the waiting game any easier! Stay calm and be patient.
4. Do something else that will keep your mind at ease
Instead of thinking about if you got it or not, find a hobby. Go shopping, talk to your friends, workout, read or do something that interests you. You don’t want this to soak up your life.
5. Pray
I’m not trying to imply any religious beliefs, but if you do believe in a higher power or the universe, pray that you get the internship that you’ve been hoping for.
6. Apply to more internship positions
You don’t want to have all your apples in one basket, so apply to more until you land an internship that you’re satisfied with. It won’t hurt. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Having a backup plan is crucial, just in case you do get rejected.
Although waiting is pretty tough, it will be well worth it once you get that internship you’ve been waiting for. No matter the outcome, you will be set anyway, because you will have other options.
I wish you the best in your waiting stage!
