This summer I have been fortune enough to receive a paid internship in New York City. I have been working at a PR Agency right on Park Avenue for three weeks now. So far, I love it. I am gaining real experience that will apply to my majors at SMU (PR, Communications and Art History) and when I start real life work.
However, I have quickly learned that living the dream of interning in New York is not as glamorous as it may seem. While I may be living a real life version of Carrie Bradshaw in The Carrie Diaries, sometimes an internship is not as ideal.
Here is a recap of my intern experience to-date, which may offer wisdom and insight for new interns.
For starters, more than half the people who work in New York, don't actually live in Manhattan. Since my family lives in Connecticut, I wake up at the lovely hour of 6 am to take the hour train ride into Grand Central. While swarms of tourists gaze up at the station's starry ceiling and take selfies, I slalom the labyrinth of people, earbud music steading my resolve, clutching coffee as my morning solace security blanket.
I earn my Fitbit daily step goals by walking the 30 minutes down Park Avenue, which brings me to my towering office building, where I ascend to the 7th floor. Total commute: 3 hours door-to-door, 10,000 steps earned.
As I'm walking to work, people continually approach me to ask for directions, I must just have one of those faces. But after five hours of sleep (from catching up on Netflix) , I do not want to be disturbed during my morning trek to the office. I've found the best way to avoid human interaction is to wear sunglasses (no matter the weather), put in earbuds, and angle my head downward, avoiding all possible eye contact. This way, I can get walk through the office doors at 8am on the dot instead of being caught up explaining to an Italian family that unfortunately, you don't speak Italian.
Although this is my second summer interning in New York, I can reflect on my past internship and offer advice. First of all, do not do anything that draws attention on your first day. On my first day at my first internship, I fell off a ladder. The books I so happened to be stacking were in the middle of the office where everyone could see. One slip off the ladder and the next thing I knew, I had landed on the hardwood floor, books strewn everywhere. Please, don't fall off a ladder on your first day.
Take advantage of talking to other interns. They are in the exact same position as you: young, in college, and trying to start a career. Chances are someone will make you do a project together, so bond over how much research you have to do or what you are working on to share ideas. Also, you don't have to talk about work, college is a great conversation starter.
One of the perks of being an intern is that you are a floater. Be confident and talk to other departments about what they do. Ask them if they need anything so that you can get a glimpse of other aspects of the business. This will also help you make connections in the future.
While your natural instinct may be seen to be unseen and unheard, share your opinion! If you think something can work better, fix it. Let your boss know your ideas, another opinion may make them see something in a different light. Don't be afraid to jump into projects even though you don't have a clue what you're doing. As Amy Cuddy says, "Don't fake it 'till you make it. Fake it 'till you become it."
Lastly, have an amazing experience. Take this time to soak up every morsel of knowledge. Enjoy the hustle of New York City and all it has to offer. Also, take time to explore New York. Find new boutiques in SoHo, go out to dinner after work, go see a Broadway Show, or enjoy Central Park. Enjoy the melting pot of New York and become a part of the city. Your internship is the start of your career and you have a whole life ahead of you. Let this be the stepping stone to your future!
