Intern, defined by Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an advanced student or graduate usually in a professional field gaining supervised practical experience. While this is an accurate definition of what an internship is, I want to give you my definition: an amazing opportunity to gain hands-on experience with a team of specialized mentors, which will help introduce you to the real world of your ideal career.
I knew declaring a major in communications, specifically public relations, would lead me to one thing: an internship. Since freshman year of college I couldn’t wait to be an intern. I always pictured an intern as someone working for a well-known firm in New York City, riding the subway or calling a taxi cab while wearing business attire and holding two coffees -- one for the intern and one for the boss.
What I never stopped to think about was the unlikelihood of something like this actually happening, considering how competitive landing an internship can be. Not until I began searching and applying for internships did I realize that you don’t need to work for a huge firm where the CEO is a millionaire; all that matters is that you’re getting experience that will add to your resume, carry you one step further to your future career and allow you to do something you enjoy.
I had a great internship opportunity in New Jersey, and right outside of New York City. While I may not be walking the streets of The Big Apple, I get to see the skyline of it on my drive to the office. This semester I have been interning at a makeup company called Glamour Dolls. I can honestly say I love everything about interning -- from my bosses to the other staff and the overall public relations experience I am getting out of it. I couldn’t be happier.
Being part of the public relations department at a cosmetic company was something I didn’t see myself doing until I began searching for internships. When I came across the PR position at this business and saw what it entailed, I knew it was something I would love to do. When I was offered the internship, I was thrilled. I wouldn’t choose another place to intern because the experiences I have gotten out of it have been nothing but beneficial.
For all those looking to intern this upcoming summer, next semester or any semester after that -- my advice to you is to do it without hesitation. Interning is a great way to get hands-on experience in the field you see yourself in. Being able to put internship experience down on your resume is something that many future bosses will look for -- after all, they want someone with experience. While interning, you get to apply what you learned in the classroom to a real hands-on situation. You learn by doing, and you most definitely learn by interning.
Interning gives you the opportunity to make sure you truly love what you are doing. You want to make sure you are entering a career that you want to go to every day, not one you dread. I knew from the moment my pitch letter landed Glamour Dolls in Seventeen Magazine, I was doing what I love. Don’t you want to make sure you’re doing what you enjoy? Remember, Confucius once said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” This is the perfect life motto; at least I think so.
Put together a cover letter and resume, set up your LinkedIn page and don’t be afraid to get out there and apply for any internship you feel fit for. Don’t be afraid of rejection -- because like I said, internships are competitive. Just because you didn’t hear back from the one you really wanted, don’t give up. Apply for more! LinkedIn, www.internships.com and www.looksharp.com are great places to start. Be confident and you can land the perfect internship. It’s all about being motivated and striving for success.
